TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2016//
TI  - Transition to and away from injecting drug use among young drug users in Tehran, Iran: a qualitative study
JO  - Iranian journal of psychiatry and behavioral sciences
A1  - Rahimi-Movaghar, Afarin
A1  - Noroozi, Alireza
A1  - Page, Kimberly
A1  - Mohraz, Minoo
A1  - McFarland, William
A1  - Malekafzali, Hossein
A1  - Malekinejad, Mohsen
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - In Press
IS  - In Press
N2  - BACKGROUND: Iran has a large population of non-injection opioid users potentially at risk of initiation of drug injection. We implemented a qualitative study to characterize the factors facilitating transition from non-injection drug use (NIDU) to injection drug use (IDU) and vice versa.     Methods: We conducted 42 in-depth interviews among purposefully selected groups of injecting and non-injecting drug users and health workers, in 2011 in Tehran, Iran. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and coded using OpenCode 3.6 software.     Results: The predominant factor for transition from NIDU to IDU was a high level of drug dependence. IDU decreased the cost associated with drug use by several fold in the short-term. The influence of other injectors, either by learning directly from, encouraged by, feeling coerced by, or identifying with a lifestyle was also mentioned as a causal factor in the transition to IDU. Pleasure-seeking or desire to experience an immediate rush were rarely reported; rather, themes of the need to maintain functionality, reduce pain, and overcome financial difficulties emerged. Vein damage and other IDU-related physical health problems, as well as pressure from family were reasons for reverse transition (IDU to NIDU).     Conclusions: New harm reduction approaches could focus on blocking the transition from NIDU to injection and promoting the return to less harmful routes of administration.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1735-8639
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.17795/ijpbs-4561
ID  - ref1
ER  -