Short Term Effects of Abstinence After Using Methadone Maintenance Treatment in Heroin-Dependent Volunteers

• Main Authors: Hae-Lanq Wei, 韋海浪
• Other Authors: Lai-Chu See
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2006
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/39140454316440229811

碩士 === 國立陽明大學 === 醫務管理研究所 === 94 === Abstract Since 2004, intravenous drug users (IDUs) have become the major cause for the AIDS epidemic in Taiwan. Subsequently, the Taiwan government started a harm reduction program in 2006, which included the methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). In this study, a survey was conducted on voluntary IDUs who participated in the MTT in Taoyuan. The purpose of the survey was to collect information in regards to the voluntary IDU’s opinion on the harm reduction and their beliefs towards drug abstinence between those who took methadone 3-6 months (treated group) and those who did not take methadone (untreated group). Results: from June to August, 2006, 105 subjects (39 in the treated group and 66 in the untreated group) were recruited. We found that: 1. Attitude of harm reduction: There was no significant difference in the attitude of harm reduction between the two study groups, in which the treated group had a mean of 3.23 (SD=0.40) and the untreated group had a mean of 3.12 (SD=.41). However, the mean score of “can work normally after participating MMT (one question in the attitude of harm reduction)” was significantly higher in the treated group (3.31) than that in the untreated group (3.05) (p=.0201). 2. Short term effect on drug abstinence: The mean score for the treated group (3.13 with SD=0.50) did not have a significant difference from that of the untreated group (3.09 with SD=0.48). 3. Payment for methadone at their own expense: At the present time, the government provides MMT to the voluntary IDUs free of charge. When asking two study groups whether they are willing to pay for methadone at their own expense in the future, the treated group (48.7%) turned out to be less likely to pay for methadone at their own expense as opposed to the untreated group (92.4%). 4. Other demands: Drug consultation (42.9%) was the highest in demand, followed by psychological help (41.9%), AIDS test (32.4%), seeking jobs (21.9%), and AIDS consultation (15.2%). The demand for AIDS consultation was significantly higher in the treated group (25.6%) than that in the untreated group (9.1%) (p=.0226). 5. Influence by friends: The reason for the first time use of drug was due to friends’ seducement (30.5%), while the reason for abstinent failure was also due to friends’ seducement (21.9%). The participation in the MMT was caused by friends’ recommendation (53.3%), and “friends can refrain from drugs, I can do so” ranked number two in the belief of drug abstinence. All findings suggested that friends can affect the IDUs’ behavior of drug use and abstinence of drug. Suggestions: 1. Continue to provide MMT to voluntary IDUs: Although there was no significant difference in the belief of substance abstinence and attitude of harm reduction and consistency with the findings in overseas studies, the mean score of "can work normally after participating in the MMT" in the treated group was significantly higher than that in the untreated group. It is evident that MMT is cost benefit because of the reduction of crime problems, reduced medical expenses on psychological or mental problem in IDUs, as well as the IDUs’ ability to work normally. We suggest that the government should continue to provide MMT to voluntary IDUs. 2. Provide MMT free of charge: Since the treated group was able to take methadone free of charge, it was less likely for the treated group to accept the idea of paying methadone at their own expense in comparison to the untreated group. We suggest that when a policy is first implemented, the policy makers should be cautious and avoid a change of the policy in a short period of time. 3. Provide psychological consultation: As many subjects were interested in having a drug consultation and psychological help, psychological consultation should be offered. Hopefully, the effect of drug abstinence can be promoted. 4. Establish a mutual help group: As friends are very influential towards the behavior of IDUs’ first use of the substance and the conquering of abstention addiction, we suggest that these voluntary IDUs can get together and form a group. This group can assist each other in continuous participation in MMT, or refrain from substance abuse.