Ethnicity and attempts at self-detoxification from opioid drugs

Abstract

Aims: To compare the motivation for and process of attempting self-detoxification from opioid drugs between White and Asian groups attending a drug-treatment service.

Method: Eighty-nine clients (41 Asians, 48 Whites) attending a community opioid detoxification service took part in the study. Data were collected about the number of previous self-detoxification attempts, reasons for self-detoxifying as opposed to accessing a treatment service, psychological and physical strategies employed, and factors leading to relapse.

Results: Asian and White clients differed in reasons for attempting a self-detoxification. More Asian clients reported concern about physical and mental health and ‘pleasing family’, whereas ‘criminal justice reasons’ were more prevalent in the White group. Both groups reported avoidance and distraction as helpful strategies, but Asian clients were more likely to move away from their home than their White counterparts. White clients reported the use of other drugs as a reason for relapse more often than Asian clients.

Conclusions: Results suggest that Asian populations use different strategies for self-detoxification than the White population. This should be taken into consideration when planning treatment services.

• Ethnicity
• opioids
• self-detoxification

Notes

Notes

[1] The authors received no funding for this project and are not aware of any conflicts of interest.