biostudies-literatureTang XNational Natural Science Foundation of China18https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10773040biostudies-literatureUnknown22(1)<h4>Background</h4>Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) has been implemented in China for nearly two decades, with a significant decrease in the number of participants in recent years. However, there is a lack of comprehensive research focusing on the long-term effectiveness in the context of this decline, especially from the perspectives of MMT participants themselves. This study aims to address this gap by examining the benefits and challenges experienced by long-term MMT participants in China, to uncover potential causes of the decrease in participant numbers and to improve the effectiveness of the program.<h4>Methods</h4>We conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 long-term MMT participants (treatment duration ≥ 5 years) recruited through purposive sampling from 6 MMT clinics in tBMC medicineBenefits and challenges experienced by participants on long-term methadone maintenance treatment in China: a qualitative study.PMC1077304082073664Zhang ZWang CChen WLing LWang HLi BXiong WTang XfalseBenefits and challenges experienced by participants on long-term methadone maintenance treatment in China: a qualitative study.<h4>Background</h4>Methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) has been implemented in China for nearly two decades, with a significant decrease in the number of participants in recent years. However, there is a lack of comprehensive research focusing on the long-term effectiveness in the context of this decline, especially from the perspectives of MMT participants themselves. This study aims to address this gap by examining the benefits and challenges experienced by long-term MMT participants in China, to uncover potential causes of the decrease in participant numbers and to improve the effectiveness of the program.<h4>Methods</h4>We conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 long-term MMT participants (treatment duration ≥ 5 years) recruited through purposive sampling from 6 MMT clinics in t2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Jan2026-06-03T14:28:13.983Z2025-04-04T19:21:45.944ZS-EPMC107730403818566510.1186/s12916-023-03203-z