Survey of Attitudes Among Drug User Treament Providers Toward the Treatment of Inhalant Users

• NCJ Number: 197398
• Journal: Substance Use and Misuse Volume: 37 Issue: 11 Dated: September 2002 Pages: 1391-1410
• Author(s): Frederick Beauvais Ph.D.; Pamela Jumper-Thurman Ph.D.; Barbara Plested M.A.; Heather Helm B.A.
• Date Published: September 2002
• Length: 20 pages
• Grant Number(s): P50 DA 07074; R01 DA 03371
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article presents drug user treatment program directors’ attitudes concerning the problem of inhalant abuse.

Abstract

Focusing on inhalant abuse, this journal article discusses the attitudes of program directors of drug user treatment programs. Arguing that the abuse of volatile solvents and gases is a complex and increasing problem, the authors begin with a brief literature review focusing on issues related to inhalant abuse. Contending that encouraging future research on inhalant abuse depends on recognizing the prevailing attitudes about inhalant abuse treatment, the authors devised and administered a survey for directors of drug treatment facilities. Completed surveys were returned by 550 drug treatment program directors in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Analyzing answers to issues concerning the efficacy of treatment for inhalant users, prognosis for inhalant users, admissions polices, treatment resources, and barriers to treatment, the authors found that directors of drug treatment facilities viewed treatment of inhalant use differently than treatment for other drug abuse. Program directors felt that treatment of inhalant users was more difficult, less successful, and more time consuming. Furthermore, directors argued for the need for longer treatment periods and were pessimistic about abusers’ overall prognoses. References