The Relapse Rate, One and Six Months after Detoxification in Opioid Dependent Patients

Opioid detoxification is the first step in management of opioid dependency. However, many studies show that 6 months after detoxification the rate of relapse is nearly 50%. The aim of this study is to evaluate the rate of 1 & 6 months relapse in detoxified opioid dependent patients. 200 files from detoxified opioid dependent patients were used in this study. Their successful detoxification had been confirmed by Naloxone Challenge Test or daily consumption of 50 mg Naltrexone capsules. Demographic data of all patients were extracted. Then in follow up, 1 & 6 months relapse rate of patients were assessed. In our study 88% of cases were male, 7.5% were less than 20 years old, 42% were between 20-30 years old and 26% were above 40 years old. Mean age of patients was 33 years old. 57% were married, 52% had unsteady job, 16% were organizational employee and 22.5% had no work. The educational grades of 28 patients were under 8, 40% had diploma degree and 2.5% had degrees higher than bachelor. 70% of patients had a history of two or more relapses after detoxification. 1 month relapse was 18.5% and 6 months relapse was 54.5%. The relapse rate was significantly higher among women, employers, singles and those with the past history of relapse.