Experiences and Perceived Social Support among Iranian Men on Methadone Maintenance Therapy: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACT

The use of drugs predominantly among Iranian men leads to health and social problems. Iran has established methadone maintenance therapy centres but there is limited research exploring the experiences of men who make use of this therapy. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of men on methadone maintenance therapy in Urmia, Iran. Sixteen opioid-dependent males on methadone syrup substitution therapy were interviewed. Transcribed data were subjected to thematic analysis. Three themes emerged from the data: (1) the role of family in drug addiction; (2) the role of environment in drug addiction; and (3) the support needed to overcome drug addiction. While drug rehabilitation programmes in Iran can help the person, their family is seen as the most important support that they need together with sociocultural acceptance to overcome stigmatisation.

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to study participants. The authors are also thankful to Dr. Jan Sayers for her review of earlier drafts of this article.

Funding statement

This work was supported by the patient safety research centre, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Iran.