Users' Experiences of Heroin and Methadone Treatment

Abstract

The present study, conducted in 2003, Melbourne, Australia, examined and compared how different personal and social resources related to participants' use of both heroin and methadone, as well as their experiences of stigma and program regulation, and their evaluation of methadone treatment. In-depth interviews were conducted with 10 participants (five men, five women) aged between 25 and 42. Participants who had diverse personal and social circumstances were purposefully sought. Findings showed that users with “non-addict” or “functional” self-concepts had more resources and supportive social relationships that assisted them to develop realistic treatment expectations, avoid the stigma associated with methadone, and focus on the benefits of the treatment. Conversely, “conflicted” users with limited resources, few social connections, and negative self-concept saw methadone as an addiction, and as a highly stigmatizing and disempowering intervention. Social policies that differentiate users and address ways of improving users' personal and social resources are now needed.

Keywords:

• methadone treatment
• heroin
• users' experiences
• stigma
• self-concepts

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jane Gourlay

Jane Gourlay completed her fourth-year Honours degree in 2003 in the School of Psychology, Deakin University, Melbourne. Her thesis focused on evaluating methadone treatment in relation to users' perceptions and experiences. She is currently a research assistant at Deakin University, and has worked on projects involving the evaluation of Victoria's Tertiary Alcohol campaign, and dual diagnosis and treatment services.

Lina Ricciardelli

Lina Ricciardelli completed her Ph.D. in 1990 at the University of Adelaide, Australia. She is currently a senior researcher in the School of Psychology at Deakin University. Her main areas of research and teaching expertise are in substance use and abuse, developmental psychology, and health psychology. She has published over 70 papers across these fields.

Damien Ridge

Damien Ridge completed his Ph.D. in 1998 under the supervisions of Victor Minichiello and David Plummer in Melbourne, Australia, looking at the meanings behind HIV sexual risks. He worked as a research fellow/ qualitative research consultant at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia before taking up a senior researcher position at Oxford University. Here he undertook research in mental health. He is currently a senior qualitative researcher at City University investigating social aspects of HIV infection among Africans and gay men.