Understanding access to drug and alcohol treatment services in Europe: A multi-national service users’ perspective

Gail Gilchrist (Lead / Corresponding author), Jacek Moskalewicz, Rachel Nutt, John Love, Evi Germeni, Ivana Valkova, Alexander Kantchelov, Tsvetana Stoykova, Michal Bujalski, Tonka Poplas-Susic, Alex Baldacchino

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    14 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Aims: The IATPAD (Improvement in Access to Treatment for People with Alcohol and Drug Related Problems) study explored barriers and facilitators to accessing alcohol and drug treatment services in eight European countries.
    Methods: Results from individual interviews and focus group discussions with 246 service users who had experienced alcohol and drug treatment in Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Scotland are described. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the data.
    Results: The study identified a number of consistent facilitating factors and barriers across all eight European countries, despite different health care systems. The results suggest that five main factors were implicated in the help-seeking behaviour of the service users interviewed. These were: information, service organisation, staff attitudes, significant others and personal disposition. All these factors could be viewed as both facilitators and barriers.
    Conclusions: To enhance access to alcohol and drug treatment, local, non-stigmatising and available services are required alongside support from significant others which should increase motivation and skills of potential service users.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)120 - 130
    Number of pages10
    JournalDrugs: Education, Prevention and Policy
    Volume21
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2014

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