Lifelong maintenance treatment or “positive” dropout?

ABSTRACT

In Italy, methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) and rehabilitation for drug addicts are carried out by Ser-T, combining it with psychotherapy when needed. As a public service, Ser-T offers the possibility of lifelong treatment management. Nevertheless, after 10 years, some users choose to stop it, remaining abstinent thereafter.

This study was conducted on a Ser-T practice in order to understand the choice in stopping MMT after a long period of time. To this end, interviews were conducted with users who stopped the treatment after 10 years, subsequently remaining abstinent (n = 10), and users who are still receiving treatment (n = 12). Interview transcriptions underwent a content analysis.

The results allow a deeper understanding of the participants’ choice between maintaining rehabilitation and stopping it, and shows a different perception of their relationship with Ser-T. Those who choose to remain under treatment represent Ser-T as a safe place, protecting them from a dangerous social environment. Others who leave the Ser-T represent their relationship with it as a form of “harmful” addiction. The refusal of all kinds of dependency, drug, methadone or Ser-T seems to be a relevant factor in keeping abstinent and re-instating a relational, social, and working life.

KEYWORDS:

• lifelong maintenance treatment
• motivation
• rehabilitation