Methadone Treatment in Iranian Opiate Addicts: A Preliminary Report

Background: This study aimed to investigate the initial dosage of methadone and factors affecting it in maintenance therapy.Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive-analytic study was conducted on ۱۵۷ individuals referring to a methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) clinic. The initial dosage of methadone was ۲۰-۴۵ mg which was adjusted during the treatment based on each patient's evaluation. Three groups were formed according to methadone dosage (less than ۳۰ mg, between ۳۰-۵۰ mg, and more than ۵۰ mg).Findings: Significant relations were observed between increased methadone dosage in the initial phase and marital status (P = ۰.۰۳), injection (P = ۰.۰۳), medical comorbidity (P = ۰.۰۰۹), and borderline personality disorder (P < ۰.۰۰۱).Conclusion: Further studies with larger sample size and including the history of previous detoxification, substance abuse, omission of self-recording, evaluation of women’s addiction and MMT program performance with counseling support should be performed.Keywords: Addiction, Methadone, Personality disorder.