Decision Making in Design and Implementation of Programs in Substance Use Treatments: Which Factors Are Involved in the Efficiency and Adequacy of the Interventions?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64292/dsim.214Keywords:
Addictive behaviors, decision making, efficiency and adequacy, qualitative analysisAbstract
Individuals with substance use issues are particularly vulnerable to social isolation due to their stigma, socioeconomic disadvantage, and co-occurring psychological challenges. Psychosocial interventions aim to mitigate these risks by supporting social integration and recovery. This study examined treatments for vulnerable groups to assess the efficacy and adequacy of decision-making in European drug recovery programs. Eighteen key informant interviews were conducted using a qualitative methodology (from nine European nations). Social recovery programs were shown to be ineffective for women undergoing treatment and for young people with behavioral disorders; however, treatment programs were found to be successful for recovery from opiate use. The programs' adequacy was rated as medium to low for these groups. Experts' judgments on the adequacy of decision-making and program structure indicate that it is necessary to improve the decision-making processes and the coordination among professionals, which is fundamental to achieving the aims. The relevance of these programs should also be reexamined and validated in relation to the psychosocial characteristics of the various risk groups (apart from opioid consumers). This is particularly important when it comes to interventions for young people (health education, prevention, early detection, and intervention) and women (social and job reintegration, access to services, gender-related barriers to service use, and the detection and effective intervention for sociohealth problems).
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Copyright (c) 2026 Antonio Jesús Molina-Fernández, Yumar Hidalgo-Agudo, Elena Ayllón-Alonso, Banesa Mena-García
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