Why young male integrated drug users transition from non-injecting pattern to heroin injection in the contemporary thai drug context
1
Issued Date
2020
Copyright Date
2020
Resource Type
Language
eng
File Type
application/pdf
No. of Pages/File Size
xvi, 306 leaves
Access Rights
open access
Rights
ผลงานนี้เป็นลิขสิทธิ์ของมหาวิทยาลัยมหิดล ขอสงวนไว้สำหรับเพื่อการศึกษาเท่านั้น ต้องอ้างอิงแหล่งที่มา ห้ามดัดแปลงเนื้อหา และห้ามนำไปใช้เพื่อการค้า
Rights Holder(s)
Mahidol University
Bibliographic Citation
Thesis (Ph.D. (Health Social Science))--Mahidol University, 2020
Suggested Citation
Donlachai Hawangchu Why young male integrated drug users transition from non-injecting pattern to heroin injection in the contemporary thai drug context. Thesis (Ph.D. (Health Social Science))--Mahidol University, 2020. Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/115215
Title
Why young male integrated drug users transition from non-injecting pattern to heroin injection in the contemporary thai drug context
Author(s)
Advisor(s)
Abstract
Opioid use and misuse are understudied in Thailand despite evidence suggesting that a portion of young people are initiating opioids while another portion of young Thai male integrated drug users (YMID) is transitioning to heroin injection. This study aims to answer why Thai YMID transition to heroin injection by capturing and analyzing the individual and social risk factors influencing these transitions. The interview guideline was inspired by the “Drug, Set and Setting” framework developed by Zinberg and encompassed several theoretical concepts stemming from Sociology, Psychology, Addiction theory and Criminology. Twenty semi-structured in-depth life history interviews were conducted between the months of December 2019 to January 2020 in the Bangkok metropolitan area with young Thai male opioid users who transition to heroin injection. Results revealed that YMIDs who abusively use opioid, transition to heroin use within 20.8 months and progress to heroin injection within 6.2 months. Respondent's decisions at the early stages of their drug career were mainly influenced by their social environment, which modified their initial representations regarding drug use, provide the opportunities and access to the substances, and taught newcomers how to use and enjoy each substance. During the latter stages of their career, respondents were more likely to use heroin to alleviate their withdrawal symptoms and were instrumenting their group to reduce the risk of overdose death and reduce heroin purchase cost. In conclusion, the interaction of specific social and individual factors at different stages modify the meanings, motivations, knowledge and practices of some YMID, who ultimately transition to people who inject heroin. Therefore, drug counseling interventions should be tailored for each individual based on the stage they are currently in. Furthermore, and despite the prevalence of methamphetamine, drug prevention program in Thailand should encompass young opioid users in their intervention. Finally, the extent of opioid / YaPro impact on the transition to heroin needs to be further investigated.
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Degree Level
Doctoral degree
Degree Department
Institute for Population and Social Research
Degree Discipline
Health Social Science
Degree Grantor(s)
Mahidol University