title: Exploring the Concepts of Abstinence and Recovery Through the Experiences of Long-Term Opiate Substitution Clients.
abstract: 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 However, for some, being on a script made them feel withdrawn, lethargic, and unable to fully participate in mainstream society.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.
authors.affiliation: a Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia , Norwich , United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Caitlin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Notley
authors.forename: Annie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Blyth
authors.forename: Vivienne
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Maskrey
authors.forename: Hayley
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Holland
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008691:Methadone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D058850:Opiate Substitution Treatment / Q000523:psychology*; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012424:Rural Population; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D002047:Buprenorphine; D008691:Methadone
keywords: Opiate addiction; opiate dependence; opiate substitution treatment; qualitative research