Prediction of Risky Behaviors Based on Concurrency of Alcohol Abuse and Opiate Dependence in Patients Treated in Methadone Maintenance Program: North Khorasan Addiction Study

Background: High prevalence of risky behaviors in alcohol dependents have been shown in several studies, but correlation between alcohol abuse and risky behaviors and relapse in patients with opiate dependence has been less investigated. This study aimed to determine the effect of alcohol abuse in rate of risk-taking behaviors in opiate dependents patients treated on maintenance program in North Khorasan addiction rehabilitation clinics in northeastern of Iran. Methods: We conducted a cross sectional survey of patients sampled from North khorasan addiction rehabilitation clinics database. Data was collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire, which included the alcohol abuse self-report and risk-taking behaviors checklist and socio-demographic and substance use characteristics. Chi-square test was used for comparison of results.  Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS 22 software. Differences were considered significant at P