How probation affects treatment of opioid use disorders: Comparison of early remission rates between opioid use disorder patients admitted to medical clinic voluntarily and by probation

© 2019, Pacini Editore S.p.A.. All rights reserved.Background: Probation is a well-intentioned approach that aims to bring substance abusers back into the community. In the literature there is a lack of studies dedicated to showing how probation affects the treatment outcomes of opioid use disorders. Aim: This study aims to explore the probation’s impact on treatment outcomes of opioid use disorders by comparing the early remission rates of patients admitted voluntarily and by probation. Methods: 158 convicts on probation and 303 patients with opioid use disorder who applied voluntarily were included in the study. The sociodemographic characteristics and the early remission rates of the patients were compared. Based on DSM-5 criteria, early remission refers to the failure to meet any of the criteria of substance use disorder, other than craving or a strong desire, and the compulsion to use such substances for at least 3 months, but for a time period shorter than 12 months. Results: Early remission rate among patients who applied voluntarily (38.9%) was significantly higher than patients who were referred to us as convicts on probation (26.6%). Independent factors raising the probability of early remission were found to be voluntary referral to outpatient clinics (1.791-fold), being male (4.855-fold) and old age (1.090-fold), while being single (0.508-fold) and a long duration of substance use (0.981-fold) were found to be independent factors lowering the probability of early remission. Conclusion: The findings of the present study demonstrate that in patients suffering from opioid use disorder, the willingness and motivation of the individual to undergo treatment were more effective than motivations based on the threat of legal sanctions

Effects of family functions on Opioid Use Disorder patients to remission

Background. Heroin addiction is a problem with individual, social and economic aspects. The main aim of addiction treatment is to achieve and maintain remission. Secondary aims of the present study have been to determine the factors affecting remission in individuals who applied for treatment to counteract heroin addiction and determine whether family function is effective on remission. Methods. The study included 199 patients who were admitted to the alcohol and drug addiction treatment centre for the first were diagnosed with opioid addiction. The sociodemographic data form and Family Assessment Device (FAD), which shows family functions, were both applied. The patients who were included in the study were evaluated for their continuation of treatment month by month, and for opioid use during the first year of treatment. As a remission criterion valid for at least 1 month of treatment, the criteria adopted for addiction or misuse were not met, and the substance metabolite had to give a negative result in the urine analysis. Results. Inverse correlation was found between the amount of heroin used and remission (p = 0.008). The communication subscale score of FAD was found to be higher in non-working individuals compared with working ones, though the difference was not statistically significant (Z= 2.06 p=0.03). FAD's behavioural control subscale score is higher in men. In the group of those showing a history of disciplinary penalties at school, the average score of FAD's general functions was found to be higher than in those who did not receive disciplinary punishment (Z=1.98 p=0.04). When the group in remission and the group that continued to use heroin were compared, the general functions subscale score was lower in the group with remission (Z = 2.01 p = 0.04). Conclusions. It is important to consider familial functions in achieving and maintaining remission in heroin addiction. Taking note of the disadvantages of family interactions and taking them into consideration during the treatment process may bring benefits by increasing treatment success