A mosque-based methadone maintenance treatment strategy: Implementation and pilot results

This study describes an Islamic-inspired methadone maintenance treatment programme delivered in a mosque setting for 36 Muslim men who used heroin. The programme combined methadone treatment with peer support and religious counselling, exploring whether mosques could provide an accessible community setting for substance use treatment and longer-term recovery support.

After 12 months, the programme had an 80% retention rate, and all but one participant tested negative for opioids and other substances. Participants also reported reductions in substance use and improvements in general health and psychological and social functioning. Access to methadone, the convenient location, and the religious setting were identified as important reasons for participating. The findings suggest that mosques and other places of worship may offer opportunities to integrate evidence-based treatment with culturally and religiously appropriate recovery support.