Physical effects of methadone maintenance treatment from the standpoint of clients.
BACKGROUND
Studies have shown that methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) iseffective in improving the client's quality of life and physical health.This study aimed to describe the nature and structure of drugdependents' experiences and the physical effects of MMT.


METHODS
The present study is a qualitative and a phenomenology study on 32clients referred to methadone clinics in the city of Kerman in 2008.Colaizzi's method was used for data analysis and to evaluate the data,validity and reliability criteria were used.


RESULTS
Encoded concepts were categorized in general groups of effectiveness ongeneral health, sleep, appetite and weight, sexual desire, appearance andother effects. These six categories showed the main structure of experienceand physical effects of MMT.


CONCLUSIONS
The clients' viewpoints towards this treatment had a role in theirexperience expression and feelings, but MMT had an overall positivephysical effect on the clients.
Psychiatrist, Neuroscience Research Center, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Ali
A
Kheradmand
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Nabi
N
Banazadeh
Associate Professor, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Khorasgan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.
Heidarali
H
Abedi
Methadone maintenance treatment; Physical effects