Barriers to formal drug abuse treatment in the rural south: a preliminary ethnographic assessment.
This article describes barriers to obtaining drug abuse treatment in the rural South using qualitative interviews conducted with 86 illicit stimulant users recruited in rural Arkansas and Kentucky between 2003 and 2005. Fifty-nine (69.0%) of the interviewees had never entered drug abuse treatment. Sixteen (19.0%) participants reported current perceived need for treatment, while seven (8%) were ambivalent about seeking it. Interview data suggest five interrelated categories of barriers to accessing drug abuse treatment: (1) geographical, (2) organizational, (3) economic, (4) social, and (5) psychological. The study findings can inform further examination of rural treatment barriers and have important implications for developing strategies to overcome these obstacles.
Sexton
Rocky L
RL
Center for Interventions, Treatment and Addictions Research, Department of Community Health, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, OH 45435, USA. rocky.sexton@wright.edu
Carlson
Robert G
RG
Leukefeld
Carl G
CG
Booth
Brenda M
BM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019969:Amphetamine-Related Disorders / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000884:Anthropology, Cultural; D001131:Arkansas; D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016578:Crack Cocaine; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine; D009042:Motivation; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D044465:White People / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult; D001741:Black or African American
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D016578:Crack Cocaine; D008694:Methamphetamine