Treatment for hepatitis C virus with direct acting antiviral agents: Perspectives and treatment experiences of people who inject drugs

•PWID infected with HCV reported highly positive experiences with the HERO trial•Participants particularly appreciated the trial's culture of respect and caring•Social determinants of health interfered with participants' ability to stay in treatment•Shame over substance use also played a significant role in treatment noncompletion•Most participants used substances during the trial, but completers found ways to manage substance use so that it did not interfere with treatment.