Predictive factors of methamphetamine cessation behavior of methamphetamine addicts with completed treatment, the 8th Health Region

Abstract

This predictive research aimed to study 1) the methamphetamine cessation behavior among drug users who completed treatment in the 8th Health Region and 2) the influence of predictive factors on methamphetamine cessation behavior among drug users who completed treatment. The sample consisted of 222 methamphetamine users who completed treatment at Thanyarak Hospital, Udon Thani. The research instrument was a questionnaire consisting of 7 sections. Content validity indexes of the 2nd to 7th questionnaire sections were between 0.86-1.00, Cronbach's alpha coefficients were between 0.71-0.97, Confirmatory factor analysis were between 0.82-0.97. The data analysis statistics were structural equation modeling. The results illustrated that 1) the methamphetamine cessation behavior of drug users who completed treatment in the 8th Health Region was at a good level, and 2) the structural equation model of the factors predicting methamphetamine cessation behavior was consistent with the empirical data. The thought control behavior about methamphetamine directly influenced methamphetamine cessation behavior which accounted for 71.9 percent. The factors indirectly influencing methamphetamine cessation behavior through thought control behavior about methamphetamine use were family acceptance, thoughts about methamphetamine, motivation to quit methamphetamine, and social acceptance. Drug access has an indirect influence on methamphetamine cessation behavior through thoughts about methamphetamine.