title: Effectiveness of social work intervention with a systematic approach to improve general health in opioid addicts in addiction treatment centers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study takes a systematic approach to investigate the effect of social work intervention aimed at increasing general health among opioid addicts in addiction treatment centers.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is an experimental plan (pretest to posttest with a control group); the study sample included 60 patients with drug dependencies undergoing treatment in addiction treatment centers. These patients were randomly assigned as case (30) and control (30) groups. The case group was subjected to intervention over ten sessions, whereas the control group received no intervention. Both groups then passed through a posttest, while a follow-up was conducted after 4 months. Data were obtained via a General Health Questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A covariance analysis test and independent and dependentt-test results indicated that a social work intervention adopting systematic approach was effective in increasing the general health of drug-addicted patients under treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thus, the nature of the presence of social workers in addiction treatment centers has been effective and can have a significant influence by reducing anxiety and insomnia and somatic symptoms, improving patients' self-understanding and self-recognition, and enhancing social functioning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Work, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Substance Abuse and Dependence Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Ghoncheh
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Raheb
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Work, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Esmat
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Khaleghi
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Work, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moghanibashi-Mansourieh
authors.affiliation: Substance Abuse and Dependence Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Farhoudian
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Neurorehabilitation Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Robab
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Teymouri
keywords: general health; intervention; opioid addicts; social work; systematic approach