Examining Factors Associated with Retention and Abstinence in Abstinence-based Treatment for Heroin Dependence: A Pilot Study

Abstract

Abstract Background: Retention in abstinence-based treatment is often studied in the context of sociodemographic/clinical factors with scant literature on individual factors such as craving, personality, coping, and social support. Aims: A pilot study was conducted to assess the personality, coping strategies, social support, and craving during discharge, among individuals diagnosed with opioid (heroin) dependence syndrome and examine their retention into treatment and abstinence status at 3-month follow-up. Methods: Fifty-three male inpatients with heroin dependence were included in the study and their personality, coping strategies, social support, and craving for heroin were assessed using structured instruments, namely, Big Five Inventory-version 2 (BFI-2), coping strategies inventory (CSI), Social Support Questionnaire-Hindi adaptation, and Obsessive–Compulsive Drug Use Scale, respectively. The initial assessment was made at predischarge, followed by a 3-month follow-up for treatment retention and illicit opioid abstinence. Results: The mean age of the sample was 26.8 ± 8.6 years, with a mean duration of opioid use 6.6 ± 5.9 years. Around 80% (n = 43) followed up at 3 months, of whom 22 respondents reported sustained abstinence during the follow-up period. No significant differences were noted in the sociodemographic or clinical profile amongst those who remained in follow-up versus those who did not and based on who remained abstinent or not at 3 months. Problem-focused disengagement coping on CSI and openness-to-experiences scores on BFI-2 were significantly higher among individuals who did not follow up, while agreeableness scores on BFI were significantly elevated in those who remained abstinent. Conclusions: Although a small sample size, the study highlights the importance of tailoring interventions to match the particular coping mechanisms and personality traits of individuals grappling with opioid dependence.