Antecedents of high-risk situations for relapse in women with opioid use disorder: A qualitative study

ABSTRACT

Background

The dramatic increase in substance use among women and the low rate of therapeutic success highlight the need for studying relapse-induced factors. This study aimed to investigate the lapse-induced factors in women with opioid use disorder with an emphasis on the antecedents of high-risk situations for relapse.

Methodology

This was a qualitative study with a thematic analysis design. The semi-structured interviews and focus groups were used for data collection. Data analysis was done using the Stirling method. The Holsti’s method was employed for reliability measurement. The validity of coding frame were assessed using the member checking procedure. The content validity ratio (CVR) formula was used to examine the results of thematic analysis and validity was confirmed.

Results

Findings revealed five organizing themes in global theme of the antecedents of high-risk situations for relapse, namely desire or craving for use, physical problems, mental problems, family factors, and factors affecting the treatment process.

Conclusion

The antecedents for lapse and relapse in women with opioid use disorder can decrease the risk of lapse and relapse. Therefore, they should be included in therapeutic programs and protocols.

KEYWORDS:

• Lapse/relapse factors
• opioid use disorder
• qualitative method
• women

Acknowledgments

We gratefully thank people who participate in this study. Also, we profoundly thank all staff in substance use treatment center who support us to do the research.

Authors’ contributions

ZF, SS, and MH helped in study concept and design. ZF, SS, and SG helped in analysis and interpretation of data. ZF drafted the manuscript. ZF, SS, MH, SE, SG helped in a critical revision of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

All other authors had no conflicts of interest to be declared.

Ethical considerations

For ethical considerations, the interviewees’ name remained anonymous, and informed consent for participation was obtained. In addition, the interviews were recorded only with their consent. This study was approved by Shahid Beheshti University of Tehran on November 2, 2019, under the code IR.SBU.REC.1398.030.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all participants.