Naltrexone Therapy and Relapse Rates of Opioid Dependent Individuals

Introduction: Drug addiction and drug dependency are major problem in the “mental”,”social”, and “health-care” fields. It decreases occupational performance and educational abilities in different social groups, and may lead to miscellaneous crimes. Different methods are recommended for drug addiction treatments. Detoxification is the first step however it would not be successful without follow up and vigorous maintenance therapy. Naltrexone introduced as an opium antagonist to decrease desire for opiates and is used for maintenance therapy of drug treatments in Kermanshah Rehabilitation and Therapy Center since 2001. This study aimed to determine the relapse rates of drug addict patients under maintenance therapy by Naltrexone after 18 months follow up.

Materials & Methods: 150 drug addicts who were admitted in Kermanshah Rehabilitation and Therapy  Center were recruited flowing detoxification period.  They received Naltrexone maintenance therapy for six months and followed for 12 months to find out their drug addiction relapse. Opium test (T.L.C) were measured monthly during six months and followed with three-month intervals for next 12 months.

Results: Relapse rate in the maintenance therapy period were 56.7% and 4.7% respectively. The achievement rate was 38.7%. Socio-demographic findings showed that relapse rate were highest in young adults (18-25 years old) and lowest in employed subject. According to the drug type, consumption method and interval; heroin users, drug inhalation and 2-3 times daily users showed more achievements than other drug addicts.

Conclusion: We conclude that the first nine months after detoxification is more critical period, Naltrexone maintenance therapy, helps to long lasting give up drug addiction. The employees and subjects with well social discipline and educational background have more chance to stop opium abuse.