The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #63319

Sumalee Lirtmunlikaporn, MSN, Department of Behavioral and Community Health Nursing, University of Maryland, Baltimore, 655 West Lombard St #625, Baltimore, MD 21201, (410)706-0452, slirt001@umaryland.edu

Background: Over the last decade, methamphetamine has become a drug of choice for Thai youths. There were 19,253 people with substance use disorders treated at the legal treatment center in 2000. After completing the treatment program, a high percentage (80-90%) relapse to their previous drug use behavior. Few studies have been conducted to investigate the factors or predictors that lead to treatment completion. However, measuring the stages of change, treatment motivation, and abstinence self-efficacy among adolescents and the relationship of treatment completion have not been studied in Thailand. Purpose: (1) To determine whether the existing substance abuse treatment for Thai adolescent’s with methamphetamine use disorders change their stages of behavior change, treatment motivation, and self-efficacy for abstinence and (2) To explore the predictors of treatment completion for Thai adolescent’s with methamphetamine use disorders. Methods: The data will be collected from March to June, 2003. A one group pretest-posttest design will be conducted on 150 Thai adolescents aged 12 to 21 years old with methamphetamine use disorders and who are seeking treatment at the Drug Treatment Center in Thailand. Participants will be interviewed by utilizing questionnaires for assessing stage of change, treatment motivation, and self-efficacy for abstinence at the time of admission and at the time of discharge from the treatment program. Implication: The results of this study will be useful for health care providers to better assess the stage of change and treatment motivation of their clients, as well as the self-efficacy for abstinence before and during the drug treatment program.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to:
• List predictors of treatment completion among Thai adolescents with mehtamphetamine use disordes
• Identify whether the existing substance abuse treatment for Thai adolescent’s with methamphetamine use disorders change their stages of behavior change, treatment motivation, and self-efficacy for abstinence

Keywords: Children and Adolescents, Treatment Outcomes

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.