Physical effects of methadone maintenance treatment from the standpoint of clients.

BACKGROUND

Studies have shown that methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) iseffective in improving the client's quality of life and physical health.This study aimed to describe the nature and structure of drugdependents' experiences and the physical effects of MMT.

METHODS

The present study is a qualitative and a phenomenology study on 32clients referred to methadone clinics in the city of Kerman in 2008.Colaizzi's method was used for data analysis and to evaluate the data,validity and reliability criteria were used.

FINDINGS: Encoded concepts were categorized in general groups of effectiveness ongeneral health, sleep, appetite and weight, sexual desire, appearance andother effects. These six categories showed the main structure of experienceand physical effects of MMT.

CONCLUSION

The clients' viewpoints towards this treatment had a role in theirexperience expression and feelings, but MMT had an overall positivephysical effect on the clients.