title: Barriers to drug treatment for IDU couples: the need for couple-based approaches.
abstract: This qualitative study examines the interpersonal and structural barriers to drug treatment program entry, retention, and outcomes experienced by injection drug-using couples, and the program policies regarding injection drug-using couples seeking treatment in New York, New York. Our findings reveal a mismatch between the substantial need for concurrent and coordinated treatment for partnered injection-drug users and programmatic policies that are antithetical to such treatment approaches. This discrepancy can be attributed to the lack of viable options for couple-focused treatment approaches that fit within the current drug treatment system. We provide a rationale and a roadmap for the development of innovative approaches for couple-based drug treatment.
authors.affiliation: National Development and Research Institutes, New York, New York 10010, USA. simmons@ndri.org
authors.forename: Janie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Simmons
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: McMahon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000884:Anthropology, Cultural; D055030:Drug Users / Q000523:psychology*; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D012931:Social Environment; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers / Q000458:organization & administration; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D055815:Young Adult