Unveiling the roadblocks: exploring substance use disorder treatment policies in Iran through a qualitative lens
Abstract Background Different countries, including Iran, have implemented various policies to address substance use disorder. This study aims to describe the policies related to substance use disorder treatment and identify challenges related to these policies in Iran since the beginning of the Iran...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Addiction Science & Clinical Practice |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13722-024-00511-4 |
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| author | Saeid Mirzaei Vahid Yazdi-Feyzabadi Mohammad Hossein Mehrolhassani Nouzar Nakhaee Nadia Oroomiei |
| author_facet | Saeid Mirzaei Vahid Yazdi-Feyzabadi Mohammad Hossein Mehrolhassani Nouzar Nakhaee Nadia Oroomiei |
| author_sort | Saeid Mirzaei |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Different countries, including Iran, have implemented various policies to address substance use disorder. This study aims to describe the policies related to substance use disorder treatment and identify challenges related to these policies in Iran since the beginning of the Iranian Revolution in 1979. Methods This qualitative study utilized document analysis and interviews with policymakers and implementers. We reviewed a total of 22 documents related to substance use disorder treatment and harm reduction. The results from document analysis complemented and validated the interview data. The research population comprised policymakers and implementers, including individuals directly involved in formulating and implementing substance use disorder treatment policies. Purposive sampling was employed, with a snowball strategy utilized to maximize diversity. Data saturation was achieved after conducting 32 semi-structured interviews. Conventional content analysis was used for data analysis. Results In general, the policy landscape for substance use disorder treatment in the Islamic Republic of Iran can be divided into two periods: the “Moral Model” era (1979–1993) and the “Disease Model” era (1993–present). Challenges within the content of substance use disorder treatment policies in Iran encompass the lack of law revisions, existence of contradictions in laws and nature of disease, the absence of evidence-based policymaking, and an inadequate comprehensive perspective on the phenomenon of substance use disorder. Conclusions The presence of multiple authorities with different perspectives on substance use disorder and its treatment, coupled with the application of personal preferences in policymaking and the absence of evidence-based policymaking, have contributed to weaknesses in decision-making and policy formulation. The true philosophy of Disease Model appears not to have been fully grasped by health policymakers in Iran, as all Disease Model policies have been pursued with an emphasis on abstinence and quitting. Iran and other nations facing similar challenges should place more reliance on evidence-based approaches and shift away from the “Moral Model” paradigm to develop more effective substance use disorder treatment policies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ea87c4985fbc4cfcb37f2c23c68b60bf |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1940-0640 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Addiction Science & Clinical Practice |
| spelling | doaj-art-ea87c4985fbc4cfcb37f2c23c68b60bf2024-11-17T12:40:05ZengBMCAddiction Science & Clinical Practice1940-06402024-11-0119111110.1186/s13722-024-00511-4Unveiling the roadblocks: exploring substance use disorder treatment policies in Iran through a qualitative lensSaeid Mirzaei0Vahid Yazdi-Feyzabadi1Mohammad Hossein Mehrolhassani2Nouzar Nakhaee3Nadia Oroomiei4Non Communicable Diseases Research Center, Bam University of Medical SciencesHealth Services Management Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical SciencesMedical Informatics Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical SciencesHealth Services Management Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical SciencesNon Communicable Diseases Research Center, Bam University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background Different countries, including Iran, have implemented various policies to address substance use disorder. This study aims to describe the policies related to substance use disorder treatment and identify challenges related to these policies in Iran since the beginning of the Iranian Revolution in 1979. Methods This qualitative study utilized document analysis and interviews with policymakers and implementers. We reviewed a total of 22 documents related to substance use disorder treatment and harm reduction. The results from document analysis complemented and validated the interview data. The research population comprised policymakers and implementers, including individuals directly involved in formulating and implementing substance use disorder treatment policies. Purposive sampling was employed, with a snowball strategy utilized to maximize diversity. Data saturation was achieved after conducting 32 semi-structured interviews. Conventional content analysis was used for data analysis. Results In general, the policy landscape for substance use disorder treatment in the Islamic Republic of Iran can be divided into two periods: the “Moral Model” era (1979–1993) and the “Disease Model” era (1993–present). Challenges within the content of substance use disorder treatment policies in Iran encompass the lack of law revisions, existence of contradictions in laws and nature of disease, the absence of evidence-based policymaking, and an inadequate comprehensive perspective on the phenomenon of substance use disorder. Conclusions The presence of multiple authorities with different perspectives on substance use disorder and its treatment, coupled with the application of personal preferences in policymaking and the absence of evidence-based policymaking, have contributed to weaknesses in decision-making and policy formulation. The true philosophy of Disease Model appears not to have been fully grasped by health policymakers in Iran, as all Disease Model policies have been pursued with an emphasis on abstinence and quitting. Iran and other nations facing similar challenges should place more reliance on evidence-based approaches and shift away from the “Moral Model” paradigm to develop more effective substance use disorder treatment policies.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13722-024-00511-4Policy analysisTreatmentHarm reductionQualitative studySubstance abuseWar on drugs |
| spellingShingle | Saeid Mirzaei Vahid Yazdi-Feyzabadi Mohammad Hossein Mehrolhassani Nouzar Nakhaee Nadia Oroomiei Unveiling the roadblocks: exploring substance use disorder treatment policies in Iran through a qualitative lens Addiction Science & Clinical Practice Policy analysis Treatment Harm reduction Qualitative study Substance abuse War on drugs |
| title | Unveiling the roadblocks: exploring substance use disorder treatment policies in Iran through a qualitative lens |
| title_full | Unveiling the roadblocks: exploring substance use disorder treatment policies in Iran through a qualitative lens |
| title_fullStr | Unveiling the roadblocks: exploring substance use disorder treatment policies in Iran through a qualitative lens |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unveiling the roadblocks: exploring substance use disorder treatment policies in Iran through a qualitative lens |
| title_short | Unveiling the roadblocks: exploring substance use disorder treatment policies in Iran through a qualitative lens |
| title_sort | unveiling the roadblocks exploring substance use disorder treatment policies in iran through a qualitative lens |
| topic | Policy analysis Treatment Harm reduction Qualitative study Substance abuse War on drugs |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13722-024-00511-4 |
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