The Substance Abuse Treatment Experience of Men Who Have Sex with Men
The following qualitative research study focuses on the substance abuse treatment experiences of men who have sex with men. Current research in this area indicates that while these men sometimes seek treatment for substance abuse issues, their treatment experience can be compromised due to personal fears or ignorance on the part of treatment staff members or others in treatment (Cabaj, 2008; Cheng, 2003; Hellman, Stanton, lee, Tytun, & Vachon, 1989). Specific goals of this study include: (1) gaining insight into the treatment experience(s) of these men and (2) learning about how their individual and collective treatment experience(s) contribute to their ability to remain abstinent after completing treatment. Symbolic interactionism is the theoretical framework that undergirds this study. The research design incorporates an in-depth analysis of case notes and observations from a sample comprised of 24 men. In addition, “member checks” (Guba, 1981; Lincoln & Guba, 1985; Moustakas, 1994), or follow-up interviews, were conducted with a small subset of this sample to gain further insight into their individual treatment experiences. This study has implications for practice as marriage and family therapists, substance abuse counselors, and others who work with men in substance abuse treatment programs, as well as for researchers who work with this population.
Counseling, Counseling Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy and Counseling, Mental and Social Health, Psychology, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Substance Abuse and Addiction, Homosexuality; Male; Health Behavior; Substance-Related disorders -- therapy; Substance abuse -- Treatment, Gay men;
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