Qualitative Study of Factors Affecting Adherence to Treatment in Substance-Dependent Individuals with Maintenance Treatment in Isfahan

The aim of this study was to qualitatively study the factors affecting adherence to treatment in substance-dependent individuals with methadone maintenance treatment in Isfahan.

This research was of qualitative type and thematic analysis. The statistical population included all substance-dependent individuals in addiction treatment centers with methadone in Isfahan in 2018. From this population, 10 people were selected purposively and by homogeneous method. The research tool was a semi-structured interview that contained questions related to the factors influencing adherence to treatment in under-treatment substance-dependent individuals. The collected data were analyzed using Clark and Braunchr('39')s thematic analysis method (2000).

The results indicated that the factors affecting adherence to treatment included six main categories: 1) adherence to help family factors, 2) adherence to help behavioral factors, 3) adherence to help spiritual factors, 4) adherence to help social factors, 5) adherence to help personal life improvement, and 6) adherence to help therapeutic agents.

Overall, the results show that adherence to methadone treatment occurs alongside the six mentioned important factors, and addiction therapists need to focus on strengthening the six areas for methadone treatment.