Opioid use disorder is a pattern of
problematic opioid use, leading to impaired functioning
or clinically significant suffering. The Treatment options
include symptomatic withdrawal, withdrawal with
selective alpha-2 noradrenergic agonist mimetics
(clonidine or Lofexidine), and finally, withdrawal with
opioid agonists (methadone and Buprenorphine), which
remains the most effective in reducing morbidity and
mortality.
The main objective of our work was to study the
long-term effect of methadone substitution therapy on
the quality of life of patients undergoing outpatient
treatment in Morocco, then to determine the factors
influencing this quality of life, before concluding with
recommendations for improving the overall management
of the patient.
The total number of patients responding to the
questionnaire was 60 participants. Social and
environmental components were moderately improved in
methadone-treated patients. Negative feelings such as
melancholy, despair, anxiety or depression were present
in the majority of our participants, with varying
frequencies, with a significant alteration in the psychic
component.
For several years, quality of life has been a major
preoccupation of healthcare professionals in a bio-
psycho-social approach. In this vision of care, quality of
life should now be part of the clinical criteria for
monitoring patients on methadone.