The purpose of this study was to gain a deep phenomenological understanding of how young adults living in a detoxification centre for people with no fixed abode made the life changing decision to free themselves from substance use and provide insights that could be helpful for counselling psychologists working therapeutically with this client group. An exploratory study was conducted using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The participants were between the ages of 25 and 29 years old (1 female and 5 males). All participants had spent 6 weeks in the detoxification centre at the time the interview took place. Two specific areas were pinpointed for exploration during the semi-structured interviews: (1) self-concept before entering the project and after having entered the project and been abstinent for at least 6 weeks, and (2) possible links between homelessness and substance use. Emerging themes were clustered in terms of polarities and existential dimensions. Four superordinate themes comprising of eight existential polarities were extrapolated: control-chaos; connectedness-disconnection; meaning-meaninglessness; responsibility-guilt. The data analysis revealed participants’ struggle to resolve the conflict between these polarities. Identity issues seemed to be crucial, as well as a sense of having lost touch with or possibly never developed an authentic self and a struggle to live and accept emotions in the present moment. Another aspect that emerged was difficulties in grieving losses as well as death anxiety. Connecting with others and caring about oneself seemed to be closely linked and conducive to wellbeing in participants’ experience of abstinence from substance use. On the basis of this study recommendations are made for professionals working therapeutically with this group of clients. These include taking an existential approach and using mindfulness techniques to support clients to accept the polarities we experience in life and to develop the capacity to embrace the contradictions of our existence.

Since 1988 when the first HIV positive drug user was identified in Poland, for close to two decades, the predominant route of HIV transmission has been through injecting drug use. In mid 2000s, Polish officials reported that injecting drug use no longer contributed to incrasing HIV incidence. The consequences of such a statement are that many of the structural and personal risks associated with HIV infection go unaddressed, that drug users are neglected by HIV prevention efforts, that HIV treatment is not made available to drug users and that the policy environment does not adequately support effective public health initiatives. This case study is based on documentation, archival records, interviews, participant observation, and physical artifacts shows that these assertions were made, and continue to be repeated, in a highly political context. Poland is a post-socialist state with strong neoliberal leanings, and it is highly invested in successful integration with the European Union. Powerful Catholic Church serves as an important backdrop. While people considered "at risk" now have more freedom to conduct their lives, they also have a set of neoliberal expectations and religious pressures placed on them. Country's geographic location adds to this complexity - situated between "Old Europe" where HIV problem has been successfully contained and the former Soviet Union, where the HIV incidence among drug users is the highest in the world, Poland attempts to align itself with the success of the West. Furthermore, examination of the available data suggests that the assertions made by Polish officials omit numerous variables. My research shows that even though Polish leadership in the area of HIV and drug policy wishes to resemble Western Europe, Poland does not meet international standards for the prevention of HIV transmission. The interviews I conducted, as well as the review of the literature on drug and HIV policies and programs suggest that these services are scattered, often unavailable, and that their number is stagnating, at best, and in some cases, even decreasing. This maybe a direct result of lack of engagement of drug users in their design. Excluded from the discussion of risk, drug users are thus not the focus of prevention efforts. Based on gathered data, there are seven crucial issues that require immediate action if Poland is to manage HIV prevention and care for people who use drugs in a manner consistent with the international standards. The areas requiring action are: a change in the drug policy from the current very punitive approach, expansion of needle and syringe programs and other harm reduction services, improved data collection and an increase in the availability of HIV testing, scaled-up substitution treatment, improved quality of other forms of drug treatment, greater investment in civil society organizations, improved access to HIV treatment, and educational and training efforts that encourage greater attention to HIV related matters across disciplines.

Thesis (M. A. (Criminology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2007 / Refer to document

Thesis (M.A. (Criminology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2007 / Refer to the document

<p>Studiens syfte är att undersöka eventuella skillnader i användningen av tre centrala begrepp (missbruk, tungt missbruk samt öppenvård) inom missbruksvården. De frågeställningar som behandlas är; (I) Hur används de centrala begreppen; missbruk, tungt missbruk och öppenvård i texter kring missbruksvård? (II) Om det föreligger skillnader i användandet av de tre centrala begreppen, vilka likheter respektive olikheter kan urskiljas? (III) Hur kan begreppshanteringen utav de tre centrala begreppen förstås utifrån socialkonstruktivismen? Studien har genomförts som en litteraturstudie där resultatet har analyserats utifrån ett socialkon­struktivistiskt perspektiv. Resultatet tyder på att skillnader i begrepps­hanteringen utav de tre centrala begreppen förekommer samtidigt som också vissa likheter kan urskiljas. Definitionerna av missbruk skiljer sig åt genom att vissa definitioner behandlar konsumtionsmönster hos de som nyttjar drogen medan andra menar att missbruk ska ses som ett avvikande beteende. De flesta definitionerna kring missbruk berör dock i någon mån konsekvenser utav nyttjandet. Begrepps- användningen av tungt missbruk berör främst avgränsningar mellan narkotika­missbruk och tungt narkotikamissbruk. Gällande begreppet öppenvård tycks begreppsanvändningen vara samstämmig när det gäller dess yttre ramverk men skiljer sig åt när det kommer till diskussioner om hur snävt begreppet ska vara samt vilka insatser som bör inrymmas i det.</p> / <p>The study aims to examine possible differences in the use of three central concepts (substance abuse, heavy substance abuse and open care) within the substance abuse care. The issues addressed are (I) how is the three central concepts used in texts about substance abuse care? (II) if differences exists in the use of the three central concepts, which similarities and differences can be found? (III) how can the use of the three central concepts be understood from the basis of social constructionism? The study is a literature review and the results have been analyzed on the basis of social constructionism. The result indicates that differences in the concept handling occur. Differences in definitions of substance abuse is seen through that certain definitions treat consumption patterns while others definitions mean that it should be seen as<em> </em>deviance. Similarities can be seen as the majority of definitions around substance abuse concern consequences of the use. The use of the concept “heavy substance abuse” concerns mainly demarcations between drug abuse and heavy drug abuse. The concept handling of open care is coherent in the case of its extraneous framework however differences are found when it comes to how extensive the concept should be.</p>

Studiens syfte är att undersöka eventuella skillnader i användningen av tre centrala begrepp (missbruk, tungt missbruk samt öppenvård) inom missbruksvården. De frågeställningar som behandlas är; (I) Hur används de centrala begreppen; missbruk, tungt missbruk och öppenvård i texter kring missbruksvård? (II) Om det föreligger skillnader i användandet av de tre centrala begreppen, vilka likheter respektive olikheter kan urskiljas? (III) Hur kan begreppshanteringen utav de tre centrala begreppen förstås utifrån socialkonstruktivismen? Studien har genomförts som en litteraturstudie där resultatet har analyserats utifrån ett socialkon­struktivistiskt perspektiv. Resultatet tyder på att skillnader i begrepps­hanteringen utav de tre centrala begreppen förekommer samtidigt som också vissa likheter kan urskiljas. Definitionerna av missbruk skiljer sig åt genom att vissa definitioner behandlar konsumtionsmönster hos de som nyttjar drogen medan andra menar att missbruk ska ses som ett avvikande beteende. De flesta definitionerna kring missbruk berör dock i någon mån konsekvenser utav nyttjandet. Begrepps- användningen av tungt missbruk berör främst avgränsningar mellan narkotika­missbruk och tungt narkotikamissbruk. Gällande begreppet öppenvård tycks begreppsanvändningen vara samstämmig när det gäller dess yttre ramverk men skiljer sig åt när det kommer till diskussioner om hur snävt begreppet ska vara samt vilka insatser som bör inrymmas i det. / The study aims to examine possible differences in the use of three central concepts (substance abuse, heavy substance abuse and open care) within the substance abuse care. The issues addressed are (I) how is the three central concepts used in texts about substance abuse care? (II) if differences exists in the use of the three central concepts, which similarities and differences can be found? (III) how can the use of the three central concepts be understood from the basis of social constructionism? The study is a literature review and the results have been analyzed on the basis of social constructionism. The result indicates that differences in the concept handling occur. Differences in definitions of substance abuse is seen through that certain definitions treat consumption patterns while others definitions mean that it should be seen as deviance. Similarities can be seen as the majority of definitions around substance abuse concern consequences of the use. The use of the concept “heavy substance abuse” concerns mainly demarcations between drug abuse and heavy drug abuse. The concept handling of open care is coherent in the case of its extraneous framework however differences are found when it comes to how extensive the concept should be.

Thesis (D. Min.)--New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 2005. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes project proposal. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 225-228).

Thesis (D. Min.)--New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 2005. / Includes abstract and vita. Includes project proposal. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 225-228).

M.A. / Die doel van hierdie studie is om riglyne vir n geïntegreerde seksualiteit program vir adolosente daar te stel wat aandag skenk aan dwelmmisbruik en verhoogde HIV risiko. Daar is nie hipoteses geformuleer nie. Navorsing vrae is gestel en n literatuurstudie is aan die hand van die vrae gedoen. Daar is gepoog om die profiel van die skool gaande adolosent wat dwelmmiddels misbruik vas te stel. Verder is daar gepoog om die frekwensie van dwelmmisbruik by adolosente vas te stel, sowel as hulle kennis oor die verwantskap tussen HIV/Vigs en dwelmmisbruik. Daar is na die aard en effektiwiteit van huidige seksualiteit programme in die onderwys gekyk om vas te stel of hulle doeltreffend is. n Kwantitatiewe data insamelings metode is gebruik. n Beskrywende en n ondersoekende navorsings ontwerp is gebruik in die studie. Twee honderd-en-vyftig vraelyste is by twee skole versprei. Adolosente van graad agt tot graad elf het die vraelyste ewekansig beantwoord. Die hulp van Statistiese Konsultasie Dienste, te RAU, is ingewin met die optrek van die vraelys sowel as die verwerking van die data. Die profiel van die respondente toon dat die meerderheid 15 jaar en ouer is. Die meeste van die respondente was meisies. Graad nege leerders was die meerderheid van respondente terwyl die ander drie grade eweredig versprei was. Die respondente het meestal by beide of minstens by een biologiese ouer gewoon. Afrikane was die meerderheid van respondente. Blankes was tweede meeste verteenwoordig en die res was verteenwoordig deur Asiërs en Kleurlinge. Leerders het hul skool prestasie as gemiddeld beleef. Belangstelling in skoolwerk was matig. Die misbruik van dwelmmiddels het n verhoogde misbruik oor die naweek getoon. Al die dwelmmiddels was in n mate gebruik, met dagga as die gewildste middel. Die respondente was ambivalent oor die invloed van verhoogde risiko vir HIV met alkohol misbruik. Die meerderheid het bevestig dat daar n verhoogde risiko vir HIV is met die misbruik van dwelmmiddels. Die meerderheid van die adolosente is nie seksueel aktief nie. Die respondente wat wel seksueel aktief is, erken dat hulle in meeste gevalle onder die invloed van dwelmmiddels was tydens hulle laaste seksuele omgang. Die skool is geïdentifiseer as die prominentste plek waar leerders oor dwelmmiddels leer. Die media en tweedens, die skool, is aangedui as die belangrikste plek van leer aangaande HIV. Die leerders verkies klasse waar beide geslagte teenwoordig is. Die medium van onderwys wat verkies word, is n dialoog vorm. Daar is twee groepe adolosente geïdentifiseer in die studie. Die minderheid van adolosente is in gevaar van HIV/Vigs. Die ontwikkeling van n omvattende geïntegreerde seksualiteit program moet gemik wees op die groep adolosente. Aanbevelings met betrekking tot die ontwikkeling van n geïntegreerde seksualiteit program word aan die hand gedoen. / Prof. L. Patel

Substance abuse and dependence causes many problems in our society. Attachment style may be useful in the etiology of this problem. Using archival data, this study hypothesizes men in a court-ordered facility will be more likely to have an insecure attachment style. The participants were 73 males ages 18-49. The Adult Attachment Scale (AAS) was used to measure adult romantic attachment style. Through cluster analysis and conversion of the subscales of the AAS, four attachment styles were measured. Men were more likely to have an insecure attachment style especially a Fearful style. The study concludes with limitations of the results and a discussion about possible interventions based on attachment style.