HARCP Archives

Browse by article

Browse by volume

Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2020, 22, N4 (pages: 23 - 27)

Frequency Rate of Violence and Contributing Factors in Methadone Maintenance Treatment Centers in Tehran, Iran

Kheradmand A., Iliaiee S., Ghafari Nejad A., and Mashayekhi M.M.

Summary: Background: High rates of verbal violence and physical violence have been reported in the field of addiction. The purpose of this study is to investigate the frequency and distinctive features of violence and its determinants in drug abuse treatment centres. Methods: This study was carried out among 200 staff members of drug treatment clinics in 2017. To investigate the population, a researcher-compiled questionnaire was used to calculate the number of cases, the location and the consequences of violence and its impact on the therapist. Results: 56 (26%) of nurses and physicians were subjected to violent verbal or behavioural violence in their work environment. The most violent insults and most types of psychological violence were conveyed through telephone harassment. The most common location of behavioural violence was in the place where drugs were distributed to patients. In 67% of the cases of violence, the stress was so severe that an intervention was performed, and 6.5% of those attacked needed treatment. Also, the results of this study showed that the psychological and physical violence against male personnel was greater than that against women; in addition, violence against doctors was more severe than that against nurses; a frequent location was the place where drugs were distributed to patients. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate the importance of training and supporting employees who work at these centres, with the aim of improving their efficiency and preventing an outcome in which employees become prone to psychiatric disorders and job fatigue.