Understanding the mechanism of withdrawing in drug addicted patients is a key factor in controlling addiction problem. Social characteristics and history of addiction including attempts to withdraw were measured in 362 drug addicted males referred to treatment centres or were accessed via some other addicted persons in Yasouj, Iran.

More than 70% of participants reported at least one attempt for withdraw during their addiction period. The main method of withdrawal was methadone replacement (39%). The main reason to quite is reported as tiredness from addiction (37%) and family pressure (25%). The average duration of withdraw at first attempt is 132 days (vary from 1 to 2580 days).

Most drug addicted individuals tried to quite (once at least) using a private method. The reason for using private methods is possibly to prevent being known and marked as addicted in their community. It seams that a maturation level (tiredness) or pressure from family is needed before attempting to quite. However, efforts predominantly fail as most patients return to drug shortly.