ATTITUDE OF PATIENTS PARTICIPATING NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS PROGRAM TOWARDS SUBSTANCE ABUSE COMPARED WITH UNDERGOING METHADONE MAINTENANCE THERAPY IN SEMNAN, IRAN (2017)

Background and Aim : Narcotics Anonymous (NA) program includes some meetings to extend the continuity of giving up addiction in patients after detoxification. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the attitudes of patients undergoing methadone maintenance therapy in comparison with narcotics anonymous towards drug abuse.Methods : In this comparative-analytical cross-sectional study, 90 participants in three groups including methadone maintenance therapy (MMT), NA and a group without past-history of drug use as controls were studied.Results : The results of this study showed that the difference between the three groups was significant in terms of attitude score in general and sub scales of effects, risks and consumption; so in the MMT group it was more and in the NA group it was less unfavorable than the other two groups (P <0.001)Conclusion : The impact of participation in the NA meetings seems to have improving effect on the attitude of the patents and if the main method of treatment is accompanied by attending NA program, better impact will be expected not only in improving the patients attitude but also in the control of drug dependence

Keywords:

Attitude towards substance abuse , Narcotics Anonymous , Methadone maintenance therapy