Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2025

Investigating Drivers of Antireward in Addiction Behavior with Anatomically Specific Single-Cell Gene Expression Methods
Published on: August 4, 2022
Barriers to Substance Use Treatment for Individuals with Substance Use Disorders
Joseph Robert Hudson1, Jennifer Manuel2
1New York University.
Background:
Although residential substance use treatment has been shown to improve substance use and other outcomes, most with substance use disorders (SUDs) never seek professional treatment. Much research has been done on the barriers to seeking treatment. However, greater understanding is needed of the similarities and differences in the perceptual barriers to treatment held by clients and staff.
Methods:
This paper (1) identifies and compares adult client vs. staff perceptions of barriers to substance use treatment, and (2) compares perceptions between an urban vs. rural treatment setting. Secondary analysis of transcripts of semi-structured interviews with clients (n = 61) and staff (n = 37) from a residential substance use treatment program in New York (urban) and in Virginia (rural). Transcriptions of interviews were formally analyzed by two analysts using framework analysis.
Results:
The major results indicate that personal barriers (83%) were cited more frequently than interpersonal (15%) and structural barriers (24%). Staff were more likely to cite interpersonal barriers (19% vs. 11%) and structural barriers (29% vs. 20%) than were clients.
Conclusions:
These findings further demonstrate that personal culpability and self-blame are often felt by those with SUDs and this sentiment is often reinforced by treatment providers. Interventions are needed that can reduce the stigma of SUD's, resulting in a shift away from the perception that barriers to treatment exist primarily at the personal level.
Trial Registration:
The Office of Research Subjects Protection at Virginia Commonwealth University (approval #HM15020) and the University Committee on Activities Involving Human Subjects at New York University (approval #FY2016-56) approved the study procedures for the Virginia and New York studies, respectively.
More Related Videos
07:31Murine Drinking Models in the Development of Pharmacotherapies for Alcoholism: Drinking in the Dark and Two-bottle Choice
Published on: January 7, 2019
09:16A General Method for Evaluating Deep Brain Stimulation Effects on Intravenous Methamphetamine Self-Administration
Published on: January 22, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Barriers to Effective Communication II
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Drug Therapy
Antianxiety Medications
Treatment Strategies for Psychological Disorders
Psychological therapies focus on modifying emotions, thoughts, and behaviors through talking, interpreting, listening, rewarding, challenging, and modeling. Clinical psychologists, counselors, and social workers commonly practice psychotherapy. Clinical...
Barriers to Effective Communication I
Communication barriers include the following:
Physiological barriers: They are limitations caused by a person's health condition or disability, such as hearing loss, poor eyesight, illness, or unconsciousness. An example to overcome this...
Factors Affecting Drug Distribution: Physiological Barriers
The capillary endothelial barrier allows only smaller molecules below 600 Da (Daltons) to pass through. It also restricts drugs like heparin that are bound to blood components, limiting their movement within the bloodstream.
The...