The effect of dried barberry root on the symptoms of opiate withdrawal syndrome in patients undergoing methadone maintenance therapy-double-blind clinical trial

Background: Drug dependence is one of the biggest problems all over the world. Health custodians have suggested many ways to quit smoking. One of these ways is to stop the drug from taking alternative medicines. Various drugs, such as herbs and chemists, are used to stop the drug and to treat symptoms associated with it. Some herbal medicines have less side effects and are equally effective than chemical drugs such as methadone that cause liver failure. One of these herbs is the dried root of barberry. Objective: The aim of this study was to reduce the daily dose of methadone to reduce its side effects and supplement barberry. Methods: This study was a double-blind clinical trial that was conducted on clients referred to addiction treatment centers in Sabz. Of the eligible individuals, 40 were randomly selected and randomly assigned (two groups of 20). Patients were all in the stage of treatment stability (methadone and methadone dose on a weekly basis). The intervention group was treated with methadone syrup and barberry self-made capsules and the control group received methadone and placebo syrup for 2 months. Results: The findings of the study showed that there was a significant difference between the effectiveness of Barberry compared with placebo on pain, diarrhea, temptation, nasal congestion caused by drug withdrawal (P < 0.001). However, no significant difference was seen between the two groups in terms of effect on anorexia induced cracks. Conclusion: Barberry extract can be complementary to methadone to help reduce the symptoms of a withdrawal syndrome.