Exploring the Concepts of Abstinence and Recovery Through the Experiences of Long-Term Opiate Substitution Clients.
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to explore the client experience of long-term opiate substitution treatment (OST).


METHODS
A qualitative grounded theory study set in a U.K. rural community drug treatment service.


RESULTS
Continuous OST enabled stability and a sense of "normality." Participants expressed relief at moving away from previous chaotic lifestyles and freedom from the persistent fear of opiate withdrawal. However, for some, being on a script made them feel withdrawn, lethargic, and unable to fully participate in mainstream society. Intrapersonal barriers (motivation and fear) were perceived as key barriers to abstinence.


CONCLUSIONS
Participants experienced long-term OST as a transition between illicit drug use and recovery. Recovery was seen as a process rather than a fixed goal, confirming that there is a need for services to negotiate individualized recovery goals, spanning harm minimization and abstinence-oriented treatment approaches.
['Notley|Caitlin|C|', 'Blyth|Annie|A|', 'Maskrey|Vivienne|V|', 'Pinto|Hayley|H|', 'Holland|Richard|R|']
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid D002047:Buprenorphine D005239:Fear D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008691:Methadone D008875:Middle Aged D009042:Motivation D058850:Opiate Substitution Treatment D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders D036301:Qualitative Research D012424:Rural Population D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome
opiate substitution treatment Opiate addiction opiate dependence qualitative research