DETERMINING THE FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH SUSTAINED REMISSION AMONG OPIOID DEPENDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN TREATED BY MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT

Background and Aim : The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors associated with sustained remission in a sample of opioid users who have been treated by medication assisted treatment.Methods : In this study, 420 Opioid Dependents who were treated by medication assisted treatment (methadone maintenance treatment, buprenorphine maintenance treatment and DST method (Dezhakam Step Time; Opium Tincture tapering method which is used in Congress 60: an addiction recovery community NGO in Iran) last year and their medication was over, were selected by simple and convenient sampling from outpatient treatment centers in Tehran. Demographic characteristics, lapse, relapse, and drug quitting retention were evaluated. Data were analyzed by Chi square test, Pearson correlation coefficient and Logistic regression using spss 22.Results : Duration of drug quitting and sustained remission was associated with DST method (AOR = 2.85 , P<0.001), female gender (AOR = 2.33 , P<0.001), group meetings and psychotherapy participation (AOR = 2.05 , P=0.03), no history of injection (AOR = 2.21 , P=0.015) and no smoking (AOR = 2.48 , P<0.001).Conclusion : DST method had the highest success rates in treatment and sustained remission. Also, participation in group meetings of self-help groups was effective on successful treatment. The DST method seems to be more successful with the proper combination of medication and group therapy

Keywords:

Opioid dependent , Medication assisted treatment , Substance use disorders