Relapse Rate and Associated Factors Among Participants of Drug Detoxification-Rehabilitation Program in Indonesia: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

This study aims to determine the relapse rate and associated factors among residents attending a drug rehabilitation program in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. The study subjects consisted of 49 program residents who used drugs before admission to the program, and 49 families or caregivers. The median of age was 23 years old (IQR 19 – 27). The median of age when using the drug for the first time was 18 years old (IQR 16 – 21). All the rehabilitation residents were male and Muslim. On average, the residents reported that they had used drugs for approximately 6.3 years, while their family reported an average of 3.2 years (t=4.7, p = 0.001). Out of 49 ex-users who have had attended a drug rehabilitation program, 12 persons (24.5%) declared that they have relapsed, while the remaining 37 (75.5%) were free from using the drug. This information was also confirmed by their families or caregivers. The finding of a quarter of residents who relapse following the drug rehabilitation program was relevant to the relapse rate reported in other countries. A longer follows up study is suggested to evaluate the success of such detoxificationrehabilitation program in a longer period.