Background &Aims: One of the perplexing problems with regard to addiction is its relapse since 50% of rehabilitated Iranian addicts tend to re-consumption. The aim of this study is to determine the factors related to the relapse of opiate addiction.

Materials & Methods: In this descriptive study 228 addicts referring to rehabilitation contents were selected based on goal sampling. The survey tool was the questionnaire. Data collection was carried out by trained experts through structured interview within six months. The data was analyzed using SPSS software.

Results: The results showed that all study cases had experienced at least one attempt to quit drug use Psychological disease (50.9%) was the most leading factor in relapse of opiate substance use.

The addicts reported their viewpoints regarding the other factors as follows: Among individual factors avoiding from isolation (%36), and among familial factors, improper interaction between parents and children had been reported by the addicts. With regard to the social factors the existence of addicts’ friends (35.5%), and related to the economical factors, lack of job was the major element with (34.6%). Considering cultural factors, lack of safe and healthy entertainments were leading factors mentioned by the addicts.

Conclusion: Based on survey findings many factors were involved to the relapsing to addiction which indicate the necessity of researches focusing to the relapse of addicts and the ways for avoiding themes to the addiction as a major depending factor to addiction. 

Source: Urmia Med J 2011: 22(2): 158 ISSN: 1027-3727