Self-disclosure among youth methamphetamine abusers who received treatment in public health centers, Bangkok metropolitan administration : a qualitative analysis

Abstract

This research aimed to examine the factors influencing self-disclosure of adolescents aged between 18-24 years, who had been diagnosed with methamphetamine abuse and received treatment with Matrix Program in Public Health Centers, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. The sample consisted of 18 adolescents admitted for at least one month and had been individually consulted for at least four times. The sample were recruited through flyers, announcements and by Telephone Screening Questionnaire. This study was a qualitative study that used semistructured interview. Almost all participants were male (88.8%), young adults aged between 21-24 years (72.2%), and more than half of them had middle to high school education (55.5%), and were employed (72.2%). Most of them were on probation and had received treatment for 5-16 weeks (55.6%). The research found that all participants had trust in the therapists and told the truth about everything, they believed that it was useful in treatment. Although more than half were sent to the therapy by the probation officer, all participants felt good after therapy and felt good about the therapist. The factors influencing self-disclosure included 1.) The therapist qualities, self-disclosure of therapist, friendly manner, confidentiality of clients, expresses concern and listening attentively, the therapists did not coarse or force the clients to say what they did not want to talk about. Knowledge and expertise on drugs and therapies, no being so strict, really showing want to help and not judging whether a patient was a drug addict.2.)Other factors involved in the self-disclosure included, the treatment experience were a total of 18 participants had good feelings after talking to their therapists. The conversation with the therapists made them fell that there was someone who understood them, encouraged them to quit the drugs and helped them vent. Living entirely without using drugs gave them more confidence to provide information during treatment. The past experience of showing disgus;