BEHAVIORS AFTER THE TREATMENT OF DRUG ADDICTS: CASE STUDY AT CHIANG RAI PROVINCE

Abstract

The objective of this research was to study a group of drug abusers cause of addiction and causes for their relapse to drug abuse after having received treatment and after the punishment. Furthermore, it was considered important to create a general picture of their situation after treatment and after abuse was stopped by studying different behavioral aspects. The target group consisted of 850 former drug abusers in Chiang Rai province and was selected using the sampling method for collecting the data. The researcher used an in depth interview with semi-structured questions. The research was concluded by analyses and evaluation of the data.

The findings showed that most of drug abusers were single men ages 20 – 29 years and mostly having a low income. The most addictive drug is amphetamines. The drug abusers generally took it 4 or more times a day at the cost of 300 – 500 baht per time. The money used by drug users was earned by working or emanating from taking loans and in several cases from burglary. Causes of addiction and returning to drugs after treatment and punishment, was due to the availability of drugs in the community. Withdrawal symptoms occurred after treatment like feeling sick, heart palpitations, feeling nauseated and headaches were other reasons for relapse.

Most of the drug addicts could not stop even after treatment. The recommendation to those concerned is to take at least a 6 months treatment and follow-up after a year of treatment. To prevent recurrence special attention should be given to mental care and should include social aspects related to their communities. Thas the people around them Would not only understand them but give them a real opportunity, strong encouragement to change, constant counseling, give recreational activities, show unconditional love, strengthen their mindset in support of their endeavors to stop taking drugs forever.