Treatment success rate among Iranian opioid dependents.

AIMS: The goal of this study was to assess the characteristics and treatment success rate (outcome) among Iranian opioid addicts.

MEASUREMENTS: The data were gathered from 437 opioid addicts (using DSM-IV criteria) seeking treatment in 1998.

FINDINGS: Their mean age was 35.6yr., and 72.8% were married. Of these subjects 34.1% listed secondary school, 25.9% primary school, and 23.6% listed high school as their level of education. Of these addicts 26.1% were unemployed, 24.5% miscellaneous workers, and 22.4% were drivers. About 49.4% reported opium, 31.8% heroin, 12.4% cooked dross, and 6.4% reported other opioids as the substance currently used. Of the 437 addicts, the majority (54%) did not complete detoxification phase, 35% had experienced abstinence at least for three months, and 11% relapsed prior to completion of three months of abstinence. The relation was statistically significant between outcome and type of used opioid and also between dose of used opioid and outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

The most commonly used opioids were opium, heroin, and cooked dross. During recent years, some demographic characteristics of the Iranian addicts have changed. Cultural attitudes toward drug use are quite likely to affect types and amount of use and also outcome of treatment. These findings can be considered when planning preventive and therapeutic programs.