SY04-2 * PSYCHOSOCIAL INTERVENTIONS FOR ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS IN THAILAND

Abstract

Evidence for the effectiveness of interventions for alcohol or substance use disorders is mostly derived from research and publications conducted in high-income countries in North America and Europe. There is a concern that this effectiveness depends on some specific context and may not be applicable within other contexts. To address this concern, several psychosocial interventions have recently been developed based on theoretical models previously proven effective with some adaptations to suit social and cultural beliefs and practices of the people and Thai health service system. These include the Heart around Home Program (HHH Program), an assertive community based treatment for alcoholics, consisting of 5 weekly home visits by a local health care team to help alcoholics manage their daily living and health. The Buddhist-based alcohol treatment program integrates Buddhist principles with the love and generosity of the healers (monks and health care providers) and social support from families and community to increase patients' self-esteem by means of social dedication and learning to give. Supportive self-help group and community involvement programs are community-based interventions where ex-drinkers and community members collaborate in identifying and engaging alcoholics into treatment and providing continued aftercare support. The Brief Intervention-Family Support method is a modified ASSIST-linked brief intervention with a family support component specifically developed for psychotic patients with comorbid substance use. The effectiveness and process of implementation of these interventions will be discussed in detail.