HARCP Archives

Browse by article

Browse by volume

Heroin Addiction and Related Clinical Problems: 2016, 18, 3 (pages: 29 - 42)

Study on users' perception of agonist opioid treatment in the Galician network of drug addiction

Carrera I., Sánchez L., Sabater E., Pereiro C., Flórez G., Conde M., Pino C., Serrano M., Casado M.Á., and TSO-GALICIA GROUP

Summary: Background: The opiate derivatives treatment programme (ODTP) is a high-user-volume therapeutic programme in the Galician Network of Addictive Disorders (Red Gallega de Trastornos Adictivos – RGTA). Aim: Our aim has been to assess the quality of life and the perceived satisfaction of ODTP users in the context of the Galician Network of Addictive Disorders (RGTA). Methods: This is an observational, prospective cohort study of patients enrolled in ODTP. Two groups were enrolled: the first consisted of patients initially treated in methadone maintenance programmes (MMPs) who then transferred to treatment with buprenorphine-naloxone (BUP-NLX), and the second of patients who stayed in their methadone maintenance programme. Two questionnaires, the Verona Service Satisfaction Scale for Methadone Treatment (VSSS-MT) and the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q-SF), were distributed to participants at baseline and again at 3 months. Two discussion groups were formed. Results: A total of 135 patients (83 BUP-NLX, 52 MMP) were recruited. Satisfaction was associated with sex (p=0.023), length of drug use (p=0.019), cocaine use (p=0.021), mood disorders (p=0.049) and work activity (p=0.013). Quality of life was mainly associated with age (p=0.027), anxiety disorders (p=0.027), psychopharmacological treatments (p=0.004), medical and psychosocial follow-up (p=0.027), type of cohabitation (p=0.001), satisfaction with life (p<0.001) and treatment received (p=0.004). In the qualitative study, a greater number of advantages was mentioned by the discussion group treated with BUP-NLX than by the MMP group. Conclusions: ODTP users value their inclusion in these programmes, but patients treated with BUP-NLX evaluated their quality of life more favourably than patients in MMPs.