The relationship between remission periods with functionality, quality of life and craving of patients diagnosed with opioid use disorder

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between remission periods and functionality, quality of life and substance craving of the patients diagnosed with opioid use disorder. Method: A total of 150 patients diagnosed with opioid use disorder according to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria was included and separated into three groups each consisting of 50 individuals above the age of 18. These groups were; patients who were in remission less then a month, patients who were in remission between 1 to 6 months and those who were in remission longer than 6 months. The participants were given; sociodemographic data form, Short Form-36 (SF-36), World Health Organisation Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0) and Penn Substance Craving Scale. The data were analysed using SPSS 22 (SPSS/IBM, Chicago, IL, USA). Results: Remission periods were significantly correlated with recovery of the entire quality of life and disability fields. In addition recuperating disability had substantial impact on the increasement of quality of life, while reduced substance craving resulted in quality of life improvements and decreasing in disability. There were significant differences in emotional role functioning, general health perceptions, substance craving, life activities and total functionality fields among all groups. Thus; longer remission period leads to prominent recovery for these fields in the entire span of the study. Although for physical functioning, vitality, mental health, social role functioning, bodily pain, cognition, mobility, self-care and life activity areas, significant recovery became prominent after a month of remission. However for getting along with people, statistically significant recovery was shown after 6 months of remission, meaning this field had required the longest remission period among all of the other fields. Discussion: This study has shown the robust relationship of remission periods both with disability and quality of life conditions and substance craving levels. This research also has strengthened the important role of treatment leading rapid improvements for the individual's life in general. To further determine the effects of remission periods on patients with opioid use disorder prospective studies over longer periods of time are required.