A SURVEY OF ATTITUDES AMONG DRUG USER TREATMENT PROVIDERS TOWARD THE TREATMENT OF INHALANT USERS

Abstract

This study assessed the attitudes of drug user treatment program directors towards the problem of inhalant “abuse.” In 2000, surveys were mailed to directors asking about treatment success and prognosis for inhalant users, level of neurological damage incurred by users, availability of treatment resources, their program's policies toward admission of users, and staff training needs for inhalant use. Two open-ended questions queried their assessment of barriers to treatment and subjective feelings about the topic of inhalant use. Five hundred and fifty responses were received. Findings show that program directors perceive a great deal of neurological damage incurred through inhalant use and have a general pessimism about treatment effectiveness and recovery. The respondents also felt that there were insufficient resources for inhalant user treatment and that special staff training in the area was needed. The majority of the directors indicated that they have or would treat inhalant users. Implications for future research and policy change are discussed.

• Inhalant use
• Treatment
• Attitudes
• Research
• Policy
• Case management

RESUMEN

El estudio valora las actitudes de directores de programas de tratamiento de drogas respecto de la problemática del abuso de inhalantes. En el año del 2000, se enviaron cuestionarios a directores con indagaciones sobre el éxito del tratamiento y pronóstico de quienes son afectos al abuso de inhalantes, las dimensiones del daño neurológico que afecta al usuario, la disponibilidad de recursos para el tratamiento, las políticas de su programa aplicables a la admisión de usuarios y necesidades de capacitación al personal en torno al abuso de inhalantes. Se hizo uso de dos preguntas de respuesta libre solicitando su valoración de las barreras que afecten el tratamiento así como sus opiniones subjetivas en torno al tema del abuso de inhalantes. Se recibieron quinientas cincuenta respuestas. Demuestran los hallazgos que a estimación de los directores de programas es bastante el daño neurológico ocasionado por el uso de inhalantes, expresando un pesimismo generalizado en cuanto a la eficacia del tratamiento y recuperación. Estimaban asimismo los encuestados que eran insuficientes los recursos dedicados al tratamiento de inhalantes y que faltaba capacitación especial al personal en el área. Afirmaban los directores en su mayoría que ya prestaban o prestarían tratamiento a personas afectas al abuso de inhalantes. Se hace mención de las implicaciones a nivel de investigaciones y la modificación de políticas a futuro.

RÉSUMÉ

Cette étude évaluait les attitudes des directeurs des programmes de désintoxication à l'égard du problème d'abus de substances inhalées. En l'an 2000, des enquêtes ont été envoyées aux directeurs pour s'enquérir du succès et du pronostic concernant les intoxiqués par inhalations, du niveau d'altérations neurologiques subies par les utilisateurs, de la disponibilité des ressources en matière de traitement, des politiques de leurs programmes envers l'admission de drogués ainsi que des besoins en formation du personnel pour faire face à l'abus de substances inhalées. Deux questions ouvertes demandaient des informations sur leur évaluation des barrières aux traitements et leurs sentiments subjectifs, à l'égard du sujet de l'abus de substances inhalées. Cinq cent cinquante réponses ont été reçues. Celles-ci révèlent que les directeurs de programmes perçoivent qu'un grand nombre d'altérations neurologiques ont lieu par l'intermédiaire de l'usage de substances inhalées et sont généralement pessimistes à l'égard de l'efficacité des traitements et du taux de guérison. Les enquêtés pensaient également que les ressources étaient insuffisantes pour le traitement des intoxications par inhalations et qu'une formation spéciale du personnel s'avérait nécessaire dans le domaine. La majorité des directeurs ont indiqué qu'ils ont traité ou qu'ils traiteraient des utilisateurs de substances inhalées. Les implications de recherches ultérieures et un changement de politique y sont également traités.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Frederick Beauvais

Fred Beauvais, Ph.D., is a Senior Research Scientist with the Tri-Ethnic Center for Prevention Research at Colorado State University. For over 25 years he has worked with substance use and other social issues among American Indian adolescents. In addition to specific research topics, Dr. Beauvais has worked to develop guidelines and practices for the ethical conduct of research within ethnic minority populations. A particular interest has been in the translation of research results into practical applications in the prevention of social problems.

Pamela Jumper-Thurman

Pamela Jumper-Thurman, Ph.D., is a Research Associate with the Tri-Ethnic Center for Prevention Research at Colorado State University with 20 years of experience in mental health and substance use research, as well as in the provision of direct treatment and prevention services. She has worked with cultural issues related to ATOD, Native issues, violence and victimization, rural women's concerns, solvent use among youth, and community readiness. She is a member of the editorial board of Substance Use & Misuse.

Barbara Plested

Barbara Plested, M.A., is a Research Associate with the Tri-Ethnic Center For Prevention Research at Colorado State University and has worked extensively in provision of direct services to special populations including American Indian, adolescent, female, and jail-based programs. She has 10 years of both administrative and therapeutic services in both mental health and substance use and 10 years of research experience in similar issues. Her research projects have focused on HIV/AIDS prevention and the application of the Community Readiness Model.

Heather Helm

Heather Helm, B.A., is currently a doctoral student at the University of Mississippi in Counselor Education. She has worked in the field of substance abuse for nine years, both as a practitioner and a research associate. She was affiliated with the Tri-Ethnic Center for Prevention Research for three years working on various research projects such as American Indian Epidemiology and Community Readiness.