Methamphetamine use and methadone maintenance treatment: An emerging problem in the drug addiction treatment network in Iran

Background: Methamphetamine (MA) abuse is a health concern among drug abuse patients in Iran. Objectives: This study aimed at determining the prevalence of MA dependence among a group of female methadone users and investigating the current psychological well-being, high risk sexual and criminality behaviors, and the status of receiving MA treatment. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional survey conducted in Iran. The study was conducted at 5 central female-only methadone services in Tehran and Karaj, during years 2011 to 2013. A questionnaire was devised to collect baseline data. The general health questionnaire-28 and the Opiate Treatment Index were used to assess psychological well-being, and criminality and high-risk sexual behaviors. Results: Overall, 245 females were registered at these sites. Of them, 201 females (82%) were dependent on MA while on treatment. Duration of MA dependence was 6 years. However, only 14.3% of the participants reported lifetime MA treatment. No participant was on MA treatment. Participants reported high rates of MA-related depression (76.4%), anxiety (68.4%), social dysfunction (41.2%), and somatic symptoms (38.2%), respectively. Untreated MA dependence in methadone treatment was associated with engagement in high-risk sexual behaviors (43.8%) and criminality (28.7%). Only 10% of the participants reported receiving a lifetime matrix model. All of them reported that the Matrix model was long and it was not easily available in methadone services. Conclusions:The study showed that the high prevalence for MA dependence and its adverse health impacts while receiving MA treatment remained the same. Effective psychosocial treatments should be delivered for MA dependence among female methadone users.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Methamphetamine Dependence, Psychological Well-being, Criminality and High Risk Sexual Behaviors in Female-Only Methadone Services in Tehran and Karaj, Iran

Massah

Shishehgar

2018

“…Their misconceptions were likely to originate from lack of knowledge or poor ATS education. Poor knowledge of the side effects of ATS can be a strong motivation to self-treatment with ATS use or its common use in the community (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16). Therefore, the provision of educational programs is suggested for this group.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Amphetamine-Type Stimulants in a Group of Adults in Tehran, Iran: A Rapid Situation Assessment in Twenty-Two Districts

Noori

Daneshmand

Farhoudian

et al. 2016

Background: Dependence on amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) is a health concern in Iran (i.e. the most populated Persian Gulf country). However, there are no literature reports on ATS dependence in the community. Objectives: The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of ATS-dependence, the reasons associated with this problem and the treatment barriers among a group of adults in 22 districts of Tehran. Materials and Methods: A rapid situation assessment was conducted. A mixed quantitative-qualitative methodology was applied. The study was conducted between September 2009 and January 2010. A researcher-made checklist was designed to collect data. The SPSS version 23 and Atlas-ti qualitative software were used for data analyses. Results: In total, 6027 individuals were randomly recruited and interviewed. Among them, 261 participants were ATS-dependent. A desire to increase performance and reduce psychiatric problems, beauty-related issues and a desire to stop opiate use were the main reasons for the illegal use of ATS. Poor knowledge of ATS treatment services in the community, poor knowledge of the side effects of the illegal use of ATS and stigma were the main current treatment barriers. Amphetamine-Type Stimulants dependence was associated with unemployment (adjusted OR = 3.1 CI 95% 1.0 -4.6), lack of leisure activities (OR = 2.9 CI 95% 1.0 -5.3), curiosity (OR = 3.2 CI 95% 2.1 -5.6) and increasing sexual performance (OR = 2.6 CI 95% 2.3 -5.4). Conclusions:The study results indicated that ATS-dependence was present among the study participants. This issue necessitates treatment, which should be considered by health policy makers. Prevention programs should be provided on the large scale in the Persian community to prevent ATS use and dependence.

“…Psychological interventions, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), are the main treatment methods (3). In the recent years, MA dependence has become a health concern in methadone treatment clinics of Iran (4). The reasons associated with this problem originate in the adverse health impacts of high doses of methadone, such as sexual dysfunction and depression (4,5).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the recent years, MA dependence has become a health concern in methadone treatment clinics of Iran (4). The reasons associated with this problem originate in the adverse health impacts of high doses of methadone, such as sexual dysfunction and depression (4,5). However, to date, there are only a few studies on female methadone patients and the prevalence of MA dependence among this group in the Iranian community.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Methamphetamine Dependence Among Iranian Female Methadone Patients: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Three Cities of Iran

Tavakoli¹,

Effatpanah

Moradi

et al. 2018

Background: Methamphetamine (MA) dependence is a health concern in Iran (Persia). One main impacted group is female methadone patients. Objectives: The aim of this paper was to briefly report the prevalence of MA dependence among female methadone patients in 3 large cities of Iran. The other aim was to report the status of psychological well-being and social functioning among MA-dependent and non-MA dependent participants. Methods: In the first survey of Iran, 570 females were recruited from 38 main methadone clinics in Mashhad, Karaj, and Isfahan. A researcher-designed questionnaire was used to collect baseline demographics, details of MA use, and treatment history. Results: Of them, 266 females were MA-dependent. In other words, the prevalence of MA dependence among females was 46.6%. The length of MA dependence was 5 years. The adverse health impacts of high doses of methadone use were the main self-reported reasons for MA dependence. These adverse health impacts included depression (n = 118, 44.36%), oversleeping (n = 88, 33.08%), and low physical energy to do the housework (n = 60, 22.55%). However, lifetime MA treatment was only 25%. The prevalence of MA dependence was significantly associated with poor psychological well-being (P < 0.01) and social dysfunction (P < 0.01) among MA dependent females compared with non-MA dependent females. Conclusions: Methamphetamine dependence was common and associated with serious health problems. Special treatment services should be provided for these females.