The effects of family responsibilities and gender on seeking substance-abuse treatment

It is evident in the media, from news reports to published research, that substance use is a serious and extensive problem (SAMHSA, 2012). The problem with drug use is not a new issue, but with a changing society the substance abuse issue is changing as well. With substance abuse at its highest in about ten years, it would be expected that treatment admissions would be at the highest levels as well, yet the numbers have remained constant (SAHMSA, 2012). The changing society has helped foster increased drug use, but it has also assisted in developing new difficulties that those affected must face in order to get help. Currently, many barriers to treatment are faced by individuals (Green, 2006). These barriers included childcare, home responsibility, employment and negative social stigma. The results of these barriers are that they are unable to get the treatment for substance abuse that they need. This study seeks to develop an understanding of which identified barriers are the most serious and detrimental to someone seeking treatment, specifically women. T-Tests and Regression Analyses indicate that women reported higher levels of responsibility, as predicted, with both genders reporting the most frequent responsibilities. Contrary to the study's hypothesis, the most reported family responsibility was not childcare; implications for the findings and directions for future research are discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year dc:date.available

2015

Author dc:creator

• Weiss, Holly

Contributors dc:contributor

• Miller, Matthew

• Substance abuse--Treatment; Women
• Psychiatric and Mental Health

Repository record dc:identifier

https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/463

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:rdw.rowan.edu:etd-1462