Family-based intervention for adolescents with substance use disorders in Vietnam

Abstract

Background Adolescent substance use is a leading risk factor of medical and social problems in adults. However, evidence-based interventions for substance use disorders (SUD) among youth in resource-limited countries are lacking. Treatnet Family (TF), developed by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), aims to make youth SUD care more affordable and accessible in low- and middle-income countries. This study explores the suitability of TF in Vietnam. Method Twenty interviews were conducted with eight adolescents and their family members who participated in TF, and four practitioners who delivered TF. Questions centred on their experiences with the intervention and suggestions for improvement. Thematic analysis was used to evaluate the data. Results All adolescents were male with an average age of 19.3. Seven of them had left school. Most caregivers were female. Both family members and adolescents expressed a great demand for support, and both groups appreciated the immediate improvement in parent–child communication. However, the impact of TF could be compromised due challenges in recruiting families, possibly arising from the novelty of a family-based intervention in Vietnam and drug-related stigma. The perception of drug use as an acute condition instead of a chronic disorder, and the lack of a continuing care system, also made it difficult to retain participants. Conclusion Vietnamese adolescents with SUD and their family members were in great need of support and access to evidence-based interventions. Building a comprehensive, health-centred substance use disorder treatment and care system would enhance treatment impact.

Using ADAPT‐ITT framework to tailor evidence‐based interventions for addressing methamphetamine use among methadone patients in Vietnam

“…Of them, 90% (n = 38) were male. The median age was 40.5 years (interquartile range [39][40][41][42][43][44] and their median length of methadone treatment was 5 years. More than half of the sample (55%, n = 23) was living with HIV, and all were on antiretroviral treatment.…”

“…Other studies conducted among Vietnamese POUD also highlighted the important role of the family in their recovery [41][42][43]. Many POUD enter and remain in treatment to appease or make their family happy [44,45]. Following this finding, the content of the proposed EBI was revised to include more family-oriented topics.…”

Treatment non-adherence among methadone maintenance patients and associated factors: a multicenter, cross-sectional study in Vietnam

“…Social support can be a significant factor associated with treatment adherence and retention among MMT patients. Social support also plays a crucial role in reducing stress and depression, improving health-related quality of life, lowering the risk of opioid relapse, and helping MMT patients overcome stigma and discrimination [ 24 , 25 ]. Longer retention was also found among patients receiving better support from their families, friends, health workers, and public security departments [ 19 , 20 , 26 , 27 ].…”