Addict's Quality of Life and Psychological Disorders (depression, anxiety, and stress) in two Treatment Methods: Narcotics Anonymous vs. Methadone Maintenance Treatment

This study aimed at comparing addict's quality of life and psychological disorders based on two methods, i.e. an educational method (Narcotics Anonymous) and a medical method (Methadone Maintenance Treatment). An ex post facto research design was used in this study. Using purposive sampling, the number of 217 male addict (110 NA, 107 MMT) was selected from Shahrekord City. Quality of Life Questionnaire and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-42) were utilized to collect data. According to the results of multivariate analysis of covariance, in terms of life quality, status of NA group members was more desirable as compared with the MMT group. Considering the three psychological disorders, NA group members were in a better condition than the methadone treatment group. An increase in the membership duration in NA was associated with lower level of depression and physical pain and higher level of general health and positive emotions. Therapeutic community approach was revealed to be more adequate in improving the quality of life and reducing psychological disorders, and may be considered as a desired method of treatment.