Factors associated with drug addiction relapse in elderly adults in Iran: A cross-sectional study

Drug addiction relapse always complicates the process of coping with the addiction. Being aware of drug addicts’ attitudes toward barriers to permanent withdrawal can significantly affect the prevention of addiction relapse. The current study aimed to determine the factors associated with drug addiction relapse from the viewpoint of the elderly who were referred to addiction treatment centers in Guilan province, Iran. The current cross-sectional study was conducted on 170 elderly people who were referred to addiction treatment centers in East Guilan. The subjects were selected using the convenience sampling method. The data collection tool in the current study was a questionnaire including two parts of demographic data and factors associated with addiction relapse such as physical, familial, mental, social, and economic factors. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive (frequency and percentage) and inferential statistics including the Chi-square test. According to the results of the current study, nervous tensions and feelings not being addicted again were the main mental factors in addiction relapse from the viewpoint of the study subjects. There was a significant relationship between addiction relapse and demographic variables such as occupational status (P=0.001), marital status (P=0.04), and monthly income (P=0.008) in the studied elderly. According to the results of the current study, by the implementation of proper scientific programs and legislation of appropriate laws in mental-physical healthcare issues, addiction relapse can be controlled, addiction can be prevented, and health status can be enhanced in the elderly as a valuable group of the community.