Survey of effect of methadone on depression symptoms in prisoner Iv drug abusers

Substance abuse is associated with high prevalence of psychiatric disorders including mood disorders (especially depression), personality disorders and psychosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of methadone and its result on substance induced depression-symptoms among IV drug abusers of Kashan prison in 1384.

This is a semi-experimental study. A two part questionnaire including demographic data and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were administered to participants by the prison clinical psychologist. After insuring privacy, performing the questionnaire, and interviewing with each participant done by three psychologists, oral methadone was prescribed to non-excluded participants. After three months of taking methadone, they were re-evaluated by BDI and re- interviewed by psychologists for making diagnoses based on DSM-IV. Data were analyzed by paired T-test.  

Based on clinical interview, from the 35 participants, 26(74.2%) were diagnosed as having Major Depressive Disorder , 2 of whom were excluded from the study and referred for further follow up because of suicidal thinking .The rest 9 participants (25.7%) were not depressed. After the intervention, of all 24, 19 ones(79.16%) showed relative improvement and 5(20.83%) remained unchanged. A significant reduction was found in the mean BDI score after the intervention(p

This study showed that methadone can reduce depression severity in IV drug abusers.