Abstract

AMPHETAMINE-TYPE STIMULANTS USERS-EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON PSYCHOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL INTERVENTIONS

Author(s): Nguyen Trung Hai, Dang Quang Trung

The drug addiction problem in Vietnam is becoming increasingly complicated, especially for the group of addicts using Amphetamine-Type Stimulants (ATS). The trading market and ATS user increase quickly with an estimated 36 million people using ATS globally. Long-term use of ATS may have unwanted psychological effects such as mood changes, depression, paranoia, hallucinations, insomnia, and anxiety. From there, are unwanted behaviors such as violence and aggression. The use of ATS also has caused many negative effects for families, communities, and society. The current problem is that these narcotics and psychotropic substances have very serious effects on the brain. Many deaths caused by psychotropic drugs also stem from the abuse of these toxins. It is also a challenge because the intervention of Methadone, which is an effective treatment for heroin users, is not effective with ATS users. Very concerned about this issue, in 2019, Vietnam issued the guidelines for intervention on drug abuse in the form of ATS including social and psychological intervention. It is a comprehensive approach with the expectation of more effective intervention and support for ATS users. The study used psychological and social experimental study for 45 ATS users in 3 ATS treatment clinics in Hanoi and HaiphongVietnam. The results showed that psychological and social intervention has brought positive effects for ATS users, both in terms of reducing ATS use as well as having positive results on mental health problems.

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