Perceptions, Behaviors and Factors Affecting Benzodiazepine Use among Patients Receiving Methadone Maintenance Therapy in a Northern Hospital

Abstract

Objective: To study perceptions, behaviors and factors leading to the use of benzodiazepines (BZDs) among patients receiving methadone maintenance therapy in a northern hospital. Methods: This study was conducted by in-depth interviews with 13 informants treated with methadone in a Northern hospital who were purposively selected from those receiving methadone maintenance therapy with at least one BZDs or had behaviors or with the history of solicitation of BZDs from healthcare professionals. Snowball sampling was also employed to identify informants seeking BZDs from sources outsides the hospital. Results: Perceptions of BZDs among users of this drugs varied according to their purpose of use. Those using it to treat illnesses recognized BZDs as sleeping pills, stress relievers, and anti-anxiety drugs. It was mainly used by ingestion. While those using it for recreation in the form of narcotics recognized the drug as intoxicating drugs or sedatives, and took the drug by ingestion or mixing with methadone for injecting into the body. Factors leading drug use were mental and physical health problems, family problems stemming from misunderstanding of methadone treatment, having friends who were users of this drugs, stressful occupation, living in an urban community with easy access to the drug, the restriction of the amount of drug dispensed from public hospitals, and the BZDs controlling law. Conclusion: Methadone users had different views of BZDs. When not receiving the expected treatment for illnesses from the hospital, they searched for self-treatments from other sources. Not only should healthcare professionals treat physical ailments, but they should also have a better understanding the views of methadone users, and should identify factors leading to BZDs use.