The Effect of Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) on the Mental Health of Opium and Heroin Addicts

Subject Areas : روان درمانگری

Zahra Arefnasab ¹ , Changiz Rahimi ² , Nourolah Mohammadi ³ , A. Reza Baba Mahmoudi ⁴

1 - M. A. in Clinical Psychology
2 - PhD Shiraz University
3 - PhD Shiraz University
4 - GP General Physician

Received: 2015-06-06 Accepted : 2015-06-06 Published : 2007-09-23

Keywords: mental health, Addiction, methadone maintenance treatment, general health questionnaire,

Abstract :

This study examined the effects of Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) on the mental health of opium and heroin addicts. Participants included 60 Iranian heroin and opium addicts (equal sample size from each group) whose age ranged from 18 to 45 years. In the pretest stage, the participants’ mental health was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ; Goldberg, 1972). Then, for six months, participants received MMT and their mental health was assessed once a month using GHQ. The results of repeated measures and t-test showed an improvement in the mental health of participants. This improvement began from the first month of treatment and continued over the six month period of treatment.