This study explored client experiences of help-seeking and accessing drug treatment services. To understand how people engage in health intervention for substance misuse and comorbid mental health and welfare issues.
A qualitative descriptive research design was utilised. Eight participants were recruited from drug treatment programs at one community health setting that serviced a larger regional area in Victoria, Australia. In-depth interviews focussed on experiences of substance use, health issues, help-seeking and service utilisation were used to collect the data. Each interview was digitally-recorded and transcribed verbatim by the researcher.
Interview transcripts and other descriptive data sources including field notes, were thematically coded using principles of phenomenology. From this, four descriptive themes emerged; polydrug use, comorbid health conditions, help-seeking experiences, and health behaviour change. Findings and discussion provide a valuable insight on the client experience of problematic drug use and the influence of illness, attitudes and structural barriers on treatment access.
Help-seeking was facilitated by social support networks and regional inter-agency partnerships and service models. Future research and changes to health policy are strongly recommended to consider issues of polydrug use and comorbidity, primarily mental illness, employment and homelessness.
Co- Authors: Dr Virginia Dickson-Swift, La Trobe Rural Health School
Dr Carol McKinstry, La Trobe Rural Health School
Nerida will present at the:
4th Australian Rural and Remote Mental Health Symposium to be held on the 19 - 21 November 2012, Adelaide, South Australia.
Web: https://dev3.anzmh.asn.au/rrmh | Email: ruralhealth@anzmh.asn.au
