Interest shown by clients of a low‐threshold methadone program in activities organized by a peer help group
This study investigates the interest shown by clients of a low-threshold methadone program in activities organized by a peer help group in the South-centre region of Montreal. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 new clients in a methadone program, at the admission, and three months later, in order to identify the elements which favor or hinder attendance of peer-helper resources. Although peer-helpers’ support services and activities appear to be suitable for this clientele, the results revealed that clients express only moderate interest in the resource. For example, after three months, only six of 25 study participants were attending peer help group activities. Despite the fact that some participants expressed an interest in receiving help and support from peers, others feared being influenced by those who were still consuming. These results demonstrate the importance of conducting research on the preferences of methadone treatment clientele, to determine the grounds under which they would want peer helpers involved in their treatment, and to determine the most appropriate way to deliver these services.