Comparing the mental health treatment and abuse histories of aboriginal and non-aboriginal participants of the methadone maintenance treatment program
Publication
- No RS 12-08
- July 2012
Research Snippet - PDF
Key Words
Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT), mental health, aboriginal offenders
Impetus
Among Canadian Aboriginal populations, high rates of suicide and trauma, such as being the victim of abuse, have been observed. Individuals with mental health issues or who have experienced trauma, and who also abuse substances may need additional support in the treatment of their substance abuse problem, as both mental health issues and trauma are risk factors for substance abuse (Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, 2009). Gaining a better understanding of the prevalence of mental health issues and trauma among Methadone Maintenance Treatment Program (MMTP) (currently known as the Opioid Substitution Therapy Program (OSTP)Footnote 1) participants will help CSC in meeting the needs of program participants.
What we did
The Addictions Research Centre, in partnership with Health Services, collects and manages administrative MMTP data for program participants. Using data collected from 676 men and women offenders initiated in CSC's MMTP between January 1, 2009 and September 1, 2011, we compared the mental health treatment and abuse histories of Aboriginal (n = 121) and Non-Aboriginal (n = 555) MMTP participants.
What we found
While high rates of treatment for mental health issues and history of abuse were found for both Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal offenders, a greater proportion of Aboriginal offenders reported histories of sexual, physical, and mental abuse, as well as self injurious behavior and suicide attempts. Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal offenders had relatively similar rates of treatment for other mental health issues (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Percentage of Offenders Reporting Lifetime History of Mental Health Treatment and Abuse Histories by Aboriginal Status
Figure 1. Percentage of offenders reporting lifetime history of mental health treatment and abuse histories by Aboriginal status
This bar chart compares Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal offenders who reported lifetime history of mental health treatment and abuse and who were initiated into CSC's Methadone Maintenance Treatment Program (MMTP) between January 1, 2009 and September 1, 2011 (n = 676). With respect to mental health treatment, 51% of Aboriginal offenders and 49% of Non-Aboriginal offenders were treated for anxiety, 52% of Aboriginal offenders and 50% of Non-Aboriginal offenders were treated for depression, 29% of Aboriginal offenders and 25% of Non-Aboriginal offenders were treated for panic disorders, and 12% of both Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal offenders were treated for psychosis. 36% of Aboriginal offenders and 27% of Non-Aboriginal offenders reported at least one previous suicide attempt, while 24% of Aboriginal offenders and 15% of Non-Aboriginal offenders reported a history of self-injurious behaviour. Finally, with respect to abuse histories, 57% of Aboriginal offenders and 35% of Non-Aboriginal offenders were mentally abused, 62% of Aboriginal offenders and 39% of Non-Aboriginal offenders were physically abused, and 49% of Aboriginal offenders and 29% of Non-Aboriginal offenders were sexually abused.
What it means
These results indicate the need to consider mental health issues, and in particular history of abuse in the treatment of opioid dependent offenders, especially within Aboriginal offender populations.
References:
Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse. (2009). Substance abuse in Canada: Concurrent disorders. Ottawa, On: Author.
Prepared by: Mary-Ann MacSwain & Madelon Cheverie
Contact
Research Branch
(613) 995-3975
research@csc-scc.gc.ca
Footnotes
- Footnote 1
-
In 2008, CSC expanded the Methadone Maintenance Treatment Program (MMTP) to also provide Suboxone to offenders meeting the eligibility criteria, thus becoming the Opioid Substitution Therapy Program (OSTP).
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