Determinants for methamphetamine abstinence of short-term and long-term inpatient treatments for methamphetamine use

Abstract

Background: Drug problems in Thailand have expanded and aggravated, thus they are affecting many economic sectors. However, only a few research works have been done on the outcomes of treatment and forecast of treatment outcomes for methamphetamine addiction.
Objectives: To study the capability to stop methamphetamine abuse via comparison of long-term and short-term treatments of methamphetamine addiction, and the determinants relating to the capability to stop methamphetamine usage.
Methods: Retrospective study based on secondary data compiled from inpatients of methamphetamine addiction treatment at Thanyarak Institute from 2007 to 2019, using the Semi-Structured Assessment for Drug Dependence and Alcoholism (Thai version 2.0, SSADDA). Chi-Square statistics has been employed for analyzing data in this study.
Results: The study has revealed that short-term inpatient treatment (up to 30 days) is more related to the methamphetamine abstinence of drug addiction treatment than long-term inpatient treatment.
Conclusion: This finding suggests the important role of short-term inpatient treatment on the outcomes of drug addiction treatment which is useful for further study and future treatment planning.