Work

The Experience of Long-Term Opiate Maintenance Treatment and Reported Barriers to Recovery: A Qualitative Systematic Review

Year: 2013

Type: review

Abstract: 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.

Source: European Addiction Research

DOI: 10.1159/000346674

Authors: Caitlin Notley, Annie Blyth, Vivienne Maskrey, Jean Craig, Richard Holland

Institution: University of East Anglia

Language: English

Topic: Opioid Use Disorder Treatment

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W2042869329