The relationship between beliefs in substance craving and quality of life among narcotics anonymous: a cross-sectional study in southeastern Iran

BACKGROUND: Addiction is a chronic and relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and lasting changes in the brain. Low quality of life may influence the substance craving, which leads to relapsing. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between beliefs in substance craving and quality of life among narcotics anonymous. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed on 202 narcotics anonymous in Kerman, southeastern Iran. Convenience sampling was used to select anonymous patients in the Narcotics Anonymous (NA) association in Kerman city. Narcotics anonymous completed the demographic questionnaire, the Craving Beliefs Questionnaire (CBQ), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF). Multiple linear regression model was used to determine the predictors of craving beliefs. The data were then analyzed using SPSS 22. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 38.48 ± 11.32 years. The majority of the samples were male (86.1%), married (65.4%), educated (93.6%) and urban (86.1%). The mean scores of craving beliefs and overall Quality of Life (QOL) were 77.58 ± 20.70 and 64.42 ± 23.13, respectively. Forty-two-point 1% had high level of craving beliefs. We found a significant negative and weak correlation between beliefs in substance craving, physical health domain (r = -0.16, p = 0.02), and overall quality of life (r = -0.15, p = 0.03). History of crack use, job, and physical health domain of QOL were predictors of beliefs in substance craving among the NAs. CONCLUSION: Based on the study results, the participants had a high level of substance craving, and some aspects of the quality of life had an impact on the beliefs of addiction. However, it is necessary to conduct more studies in this field; psychological interventions and programs to increase the quality of life may reduce the substance craving.