Beta thalassemia is a hereditary disease of hemoglobin synthesis that causes mild to severe microcytic anemia and hemosiderosis in many organs that finally results in organ failure in severe cases. Many of them need blood transfusion. Drug dependence is a recurrent and chronic problem that has two aspects: bodily (physiologic) and behavioral.

A total of 207 β thalassemic patients were randomly selected upon 810 β thalassemic patients that referred to Shiraz Coolys Center in May-July 2005, south of Iran. We studied the prevalence of addiction in these patients and compared it with normal population. We also evaluated probable risk factors of drug dependence. There was no other study found worldwide.

Out of 207 patients, 19 (9.2%) patients were drug dependent and their most common motivation was acquisition of enjoyment. Between several risk factors that were studied, only sex (male), marital status (single), history of past surgery and existence of another addict person in their family were statistically important (0.01<P value<0.05).

Although the prevalence of addiction in thalassemic patients (9.2%) was near the same in normal population of Fars province (10.2%) and Iran (12.5%), but it still has a high prevalence and it should be considers as a psychosocial problem. As this study was the first study done on this subject we hope that in future there'll be more studies to help these patients to have a better life style and live longer with better health and life expectancy.