258472 Perceptions of Chronicity and Recovery among Youth in Treatment for Substance Use Problems

Monday, October 29, 2012

Rachel Gonzales, PhD, MPH , Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, Los Angeles, CA
M. Douglas Anglin, PhD , Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, Los Angeles, CA
Rebecaa Beattie, MPH , Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, Los Angeles, CA
Deborah Glik, ScD , School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA
Kristen Gunther, MPH , Department of Psychology, Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, CA
Background: Substance use among youth in the United States is a growing public health concern. The perception of health risk related to substance use often differs between youth and health professionals. We explored youth conceptualizations related to substance problems and recovery using a chronicity framework. Methods: Fourteen focus groups were conducted with 118 youth in substance abuse treatment settings (aged 12-24; 78.3% male; 66.1% Latino) located throughout diverse areas of Los Angeles County. Transcribed qualitative focus group data were analyzed for major substance use and recovery themes. Results: Most (80%) youth do not accept a chronicity framework that conceptualizes substance use problems as recurring and constituting a life-long illness. Most (65%) view substance use problems as a function of poor behavioral choices or a developmental/social lifestyle phase. Youth perceptions of recovery tend to parallel this view, as most define recovery to mean having an improved or changed lifestyle achieved through making better behavioral choices (67%) and exerting personal control over one's behavior (57%) through willpower, confidence, or discipline. Other recovery themes identified by youth were related to substance use (47%), wellness or well-being (43%) and therapeutic or treatment (14%). Conclusions: Findings highlight the importance of considering youth perceptions about substance use chronicity and recovery in making improvements and promoting new developments in clinical and recovery support approaches to better meet the needs of youth with substance use problems. Findings are discussed under a theoretical context of behavior change to provide insights for the treatment and recovery communities.

Learning Areas:
Other professions or practice related to public health
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe outcomes of qualitative focus groups with substance using youth in Los Angeles County. 2. Understand perceptions on substance use problems among treatment-involved youth. 3. Identify treatment-involved youth conceptions of substance use recovery.

Keywords: Substance Abuse, Recovery

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the PI of this research under NIDA Research Scientist Development Award 1K01DA027754-01A1
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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