First Advisor

Georgia Babatsikos

Second Advisor

Anahi Russo

College

Regis College

Degree Name

Master of Development Practice

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Number of Pages

85 pages

Abstract

Substance use disorders in Mexico have been prevalent for years, and increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. In rural areas of Chiapas, hardly reached by medical attention, let alone mental health services, treating addiction has become a challenge. In Mexico, substance use is strongly linked to gender norms, socioeconomic situations, education and psychoemotional factors.

This capstone explores current treatment methods in Mexico’s “anexos”, and proposes alternative and dignified approaches for recovery from a public health lens and a holistic approach. The literature review covers the determinants of substance use, social consequences, existing treatment options and access barriers.

Through qualitative interviews with stakeholders, the needs, pains, and gaps of the target population were listened and understood, as well as the best practices according to mental health experts, resulting in a project proposal to provide quality, dignified attention to substance use disorders in rural Chiapas. This project involves training for non-specialized staff, professional staffing, skill-building activities for patients, and support groups for families of patients, in order to address the problem as a system that does not only depend on the patient’s abstinence, but the social support around them, too.

Date of Award

Spring 2023

Location (Creation)

Colorado (state); Denver (county); Denver (inhabited place)

Rights Statement

All content in this Collection is owned by and subject to the exclusive control of Regis University and the authors of the materials. It is available only for research purposes and may not be used in violation of copyright laws or for unlawful purposes. The materials may not be downloaded in whole or in part without permission of the copyright holder or as otherwise authorized in the “fair use” standards of the U.S. copyright laws and regulations.

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