From Resistance to Existence—Experiences of Medication-Assisted Treatment as Disclosed by People with Opioid Dependence

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the lived experiences of participating in a medication-assisted treatment as disclosed by individuals with opioid dependence. Eleven narrative interviews were conducted and subjected to qualitative content analysis. The experiences of participating in the programme were described as a process from resistance to existence. The participants seized the chance to claim a life lived with dignity, struggled with hidden challenges, and eventually were freed from their pasts and were grateful for an existence with dignity. The recovery process was a long-term commitment and participants asked for a more individual and flexible process based on personal needs and values.