Why do heroin users refuse to participate in a heroin-assisted treatment trial?

Background: Heroin-assisted treatment (HAT) can improve the condition of heroin addicts who are resistant to other treatments. However, in a new HAT trial in Belgium, fewer subjects than expected were included. Aim: Our research team explored the reasons given by heroin users in explaining why they did not want to participate. Methods: In 2011, during the trial recruitment, we interviewed heroin users (n=52) who never took the opportunity to meet the research team during the recruitment process preceding the trial. Results: Of those 52 heroin users, 25 were afraid of the limited length of the HAT and 11 feared becoming more dependent as a result of HAT. Conclusion: A trial that was planned to last for a limited length of time may have demotivated heroin users who could otherwise have benefited from this new programme.