Quality of life among individuals on opiate agonist treatment in England

Alderson, K ORCID: 0000-0003-0630-7583 and Hoyle, R (2025) Quality of life among individuals on opiate agonist treatment in England. Addiction Research and Theory, 34 (1). pp. 78-84. ISSN 1606-6359

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Abstract

Background: Recovery from drug use is an individualized process that does not necessitate complete abstinence. Due to a growing literature base emphasizing that unmet holistic needs may hinder recovery efforts, some researchers advocate for a focus on quality of life (QoL) in recovery. There is, however, no consensus on its definition or measurement. Certain groups, such as individuals who are receiving opiate agonist treatment (OAT), may face unique experiences that influence their QoL. Method: This study explored factors that literature and theory suggest are associated with QoL among individuals recovering from opioid use. Nine variables were chosen to represent three life domains: personal health, standard of living, and achievement. Data were collected from 782 adults (30.1% women) aged 23 to 77, who were receiving methadone or buprenorphine OAT from a recovery organization in the north of England. Results: A multiple regression revealed significant associations between five variables and QoL: housing stability, mental health diagnosis, employment status, concurrent illicit substance, and duration in OAT (5 to 10 years). Conclusions: It is possible the above variables are linked with increased strain, which could reduce overall satisfaction with life. Recovery services could provide interventions to enhance QoL in addition to those which support abstinence from substances. It is important to achieve consistency in definition and measurement, gather relevant data on theory-driven predictors, and incorporate the perspectives of individuals using recovery services.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Quality of life; substance use; recovery; opioid; treatment; outcomes; 1117 Public Health and Health Services; 1701 Psychology; Substance Abuse; 4206 Public health; 5202 Biological psychology; 5203 Clinical and health psychology
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
Divisions:	Psychology (from Sep 2019)
Publisher:	Taylor and Francis
Date of acceptance:	11 July 2025
Date of first compliant Open Access:	2 July 2026
Date Deposited:	02 Jul 2026 13:38
Last Modified:	02 Jul 2026 13:38
DOI or ID number:	10.1080/16066359.2025.2534578
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/28931

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