BACKGROUND/AIM: To inform understanding of the experience of long-term opiate maintenance and identify barriers to recovery. METHODS: A qualitative systematic review. RESULTS: 14 studies in 17 papers, mainly from the USA (65%), met inclusion criteria, involving 1,088 participants. Studies focused on methadone prescribing. Participants reported stability; however, many disliked methadone. Barriers to full recovery were primarily 'inward focused'. CONCLUSION: This is the first review of qualitative literature on long-term maintenance, finding that universal service improvements could be made to address reported barriers to recovery, including involving ex-users as positive role models, and increasing access to psychological support. Treatment policies combining harm minimisation and abstinence-orientated approaches may best support individualised recovery.
BACKGROUND/AIM: To inform understanding of the experience of long-term opiate maintenance and identify barriers to recovery. METHODS: A qualitative systematic review. RESULTS: 14 studies in 17 papers, mainly from the USA (65%), met inclusion criteria, involving 1,088 participants. Studies focused on methadone prescribing. Participants reported stability; however, many disliked methadone. Barriers to full recovery were primarily 'inward focused'. CONCLUSION: This is the first review of qualitative literature on long-term maintenance, finding that universal service improvements could be made to address reported barriers to recovery, including involving ex-users as positive role models, and increasing access to psychological support. Treatment policies combining harm minimisation and abstinence-orientated approaches may best support individualised recovery.
Authors: William J Kowalczyk; Jeremiah W Bertz; Landhing M Moran; Karran A Phillips; Udi E Ghitza; David H Epstein; Kenzie L Preston Journal: J Addict Med Date: 2017 Nov/Dec Impact factor: 3.702
Authors: Caroline Anne Mitchell; Alice Pitt; Joe Hulin; Rod Lawson; Fleur Ashby; Ivan Appelqvist; Brigitte Delaney Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2016-10-14 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Tea Rosic; Leen Naji; Balpreet Panesar; Darren B Chai; Nitika Sanger; Brittany B Dennis; David C Marsh; Launette Rieb; Andrew Worster; Lehana Thabane; Zainab Samaan Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2021-01-12 Impact factor: 2.692