M.A. / According to Edmonds and Wilcocks (1995:1-2), South Africa is in the grip of a major drug boom. If this is not taken seriously, South Africa could lose as much as 30% of its future generation in terms of health, happiness, functioning and even life. Drug abuse is an important factor that can affect the quality of life of not only the drug abuser, but also all those connected with them (Edmonds and Wilcocks, 1995:1-2). Substance abuse is a problem that influences the family system. Models such as Bell and Khantzian (1991) and Cooks' (1988) description of the Minnesota model define substance abuse as a disease. This model also known as the medical model, can be attributed to the work of Jellinek (1960). It focuses on individual biological factors with little consideration for familial, social or psychological variables. On the other hand, a family systems perspective indicates that the family system enables the substance abuser towards abusive patterns of behaviour. The family plays an important role in the process of dependency as well as in the rehabilitation process. These models are brought together in the study, as this combination is valuable in understanding the complexity of substance abuse and its effects on the family system. The aim of the study is to explore the families understanding of substance abuse and their role in the treatment process. A qualitative methodology is used to understand the life events, experiences and beliefs of family members, from their point of view. The focus of the research is on family members who have attended the family program at Stepping Stones Rehabilitation Center. Exploring the understanding they have of substance abuse and their role in the treatment process, from their frame of reference. The theoretical basis for the study is formulated within the medical model and a systems perspective. A nonprobability, purposive sample is utilized to seek information rich cases. Eleven respondents are interviewed. Different members within the family system are selected to illuminate the question under investigation. An interview schedule formulated from literature, is utilized to create consistency in the face-to-face interviews. The in depth interviews facilitate exploration. Data is gathered by means of a literature review, field notes and audiotapes transcribed by the researcher. Analysis of the data is done manually according to a schedule. The schedule I developed according to coding categories that are identified when working with raw data. The information from the data gathered is analysed and used to identify themes, which are offered as results. An extensive literature control is conducted, in order to further the validity of the research. From the study, methodological and theoretical conclusions can be made. Methodological conclusions indicate the effectiveness of using a qualitative methodology and face-to-face interviews in exploring the question under study. The theoretical conclusions indicate families understanding of substance abuse and their role in the treatment process. Recommendations in terms of intervention with families affected by substance abuse and future research, are drawn from the research process and context of the study ensure the link between results and conclusions and aims and objectives. The research indicates that families have an intellectual understanding of the disease concept of substance abuse. Their searching for alternative solutions and use of defence mechanisms, indicate that this concept has not been internalized. Respondents acknowledged the long term nature of recovery that is facilitated by the use of support groups.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology. Johannesburg, 2016 / Substance dependence is a global issue that is becoming significantly more problematic. This is due to the fact that it does not just have a devastating effect on the individual but results in profound spin-off effects, which impact society as a whole. Much research has been conducted within this area and contemporary research has seemed to focus on the link between attachment styles and substance abuse. Since its conception by John Bowlby, attachment theory has achieved an empirical authority that has contributed to its popularity in modern times. However, despite this renewed interest there still exists a gap in the literature around the role that relationships, throughout the lifespan, play in areas such as pathology and recovery. Consequently, this research embarked on an interpretive phenomenological exploration of the way relationships impact the lives of individuals suffering from substance dependence. Adults in recovery from substance dependence were individually interviewed about their experiences of their relationships during and after their years of abusing substances. Hermeneutical phenomenological analysis was used to analyse this data and it revealed a typical model of pathology where a negative childhood experience had cascading effects that culminated in the later dependence on substances. Participants all highlighted relationships with themselves or others as pivotal to either seeking substances or to going into recovery. These themes were then located within Bowlby’s (1976, 1980) developmental pathways framework in order to make sense of the progression of substance dependence along the lifespan as it manifested in these participants. / MT2017

Subjects were 2,950 patients who had previously received inpatient treatment for substance abuse at 40 treatment centers in 13 states and were followed up by the Chemical Abuse/Addiction Treatment Outcome Registry (CATOR) via telephone during the 2 years immediately following their treatment. All subjects were contacted every 6 months and asked a series of questions regarding their relapse status, medical utilization, illnesses, injuries, and arrests. Patient status was based on 3 categories: (1) abstinence from any abuse of a chemical, (2) brief relapse of less than 3 months abuse of any chemical, or (3) total relapse of longer than 3 months of any chemical. Findings showed that abstainers had fewer days in the hospital for emotional problems and detoxification. Abstainers also had fewer visits to the hospital for emergency reasons. Males in the brief relapse category had a greater number of injuries than abstainers or total relapsers. Regarding arrests and automobile accidents, no difference was discovered. However, regarding Drunk While Driving (DWI) arrests, abstainers had fewer arrests.

Analyzes the motivation of clients beginning a drug and alcohol treatment program to see if their level of motivation affects their success in the program, as measured by drug screens. Thirty-six participants from the Perris Valley Recovery Program (PVRP) in Southern California took a motivation for treatment questionnaire reflecting their levels of motivation for treatment. Results of the study found significant relationships between clients' motivation to be in substance abuse treatment and clean or dirty drug screens.

Recovery from alcoholism and substance abuse has had an ignominious history. There does not appear to be any statistics that stand up to any rigorous fact-checking which show how well treatment centers do at helping their clients to stay sober. Statistics that are used to show success rates are not considered credible and they are shockingly low. Despite these issues, substance abuse research has failed to link the historical knowledge of why people stay sober for long periods of time with what is being taught in treatment centers in hopes of creating a better, more accurate outcome. The qualitative, phenomenological research study was conducted to ascertain whether a treatment center was teaching the curriculum components that prior research studies had found allowed an addict or alcoholic to stay sober for 20 plus years. Twelve volunteer participants (i.e., nine clients and three counselors), at a treatment center located in Southeast Florida, were interviewe d regarding their perceptions of the curricula being taught in the treatment center. Patterns emerged with the clients regarding their perceptions of spirituality and 12-step programs, believing that spirituality and 12-step programs were significantly emphasized in treatment and that they were very important to their recovery when they left treatment. Counselors agreed with this finding, but felt stronger about the importance of family and social support than did the clients. Overall, the clients felt that what was emphasized in treatment was important to their recovery and intended to use their new knowledge in helping them stay sober. Implications for treatment centers and recommendations for future studies are discussed. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2015. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2015 / Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University / ENGLISH ABSTRACT : Substance abuse is a major problem globally with immeasurable consequences to the health of users. Rehabilitation is one of the strategies that can help to fight against substance abuse. It is divided into two forms: in-patient and out-patient rehabilitation. In this study, we consider a compartmental model of substance users in rehabilitation, where a periodic function is included to illustrate seasonal oscillations of drug users entering rehabilitation. In this thesis, we derive two basic reproduction numbers R0 and [R0], where R0 is the model with periodicity and [R0] the model without periodicity. We show that the model has a drug-free equilibrium when the basic reproduction number R0 is less than one and drug persistent equilibrium when R0 is greater than one. We fit the model to data and obtained sneak preview of the future of these forms of rehabilitation. Our results indicate that when R0 is less than one, the in- and out-patient populations decrease quickly and when R0 is greater than one drugs persists and after a long period of time, individuals in rehabilitation approaches w-periodic solution. Sensitivity analysis is performed and the results show that control measures should focus on the effective contact rate between susceptibles and drug users so as to control the epidemic. These results have significant implications on the management and planning of rehabilitation programs in South Africa. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING : Dwelm misbruik is wêreldwyd ‘n ernstige problem met onmeetbare gevolge vir die gesondheid van gebruikers. Rehabilitasie is een van die strategieë wat dwelm misbruik kan help beveg. Dit word in twee vorms verdeel: binnepasiënt- en buitepasiëntrehabilitasie. In hierdie studie ondersoek ons ‘n kompartementele model van dwelmgebruikers in rehabilitasie, waar ‘n periodieke funksie ingesluit word om seisoenale skommelings aan te toon met betrekking tot dwelmgebruikers wat rehabilitasie aanpak. In hierdie tesis lei ons twee basiese reproduksienommers af, R0 en [R0], waar R0 die model met periodisiteit en [R0] die model sonder periodisiteit is. Ons toon aan dat die model ‘n dwelmvrye ekwilibrium het wanneer die basiese reproduksienommer R0 minder as een is en ‘n dwelm-voortsettingsekwilibrium het wanneer R0 meer as een is. Ons pas die model op die data toe en verkry ‘n vooruitskouende blik op die toekoms van hierdie vorms van rehabilitasie. Ons resultate dui aan dat wanneer R0 minder as een is, die binne- en buitepasiënt-bevolkings vinnig verminder en wanneer R0 meer as een is, die gebruik van dwelms voortduur en dat nà ‘n lang tydperk individue in rehabilitasie nader aan w-periodieke oplossing beweeg. Sensitiwiteitsontleding word uitgevoer en die resultate toon aan dat daar ‘n bewustheid moet bestaan dat die graad van effektiewe kontak tussen vatbare individue en dwelmgebruikers beperk moet word ten einde die epidemie onder beheer te bring. Hierdie resultate het betekenisvolle implikasies vir die bestuur en beplanning van rehabilitasieprogramme in Suid-Afrika. / rs201601

The proposed research aims to explore and describe the experiences, challenges and coping strategies of fathers, parenting children, abusing illegal substances. The use and abuse of illegal substances became national and global dilemmas. The impact and damage caused when drugs are widely used over time is irreversible, as it influences the lives of users and those of their families, their communities, and the country. This research provides an opportunity for fathers, parenting children, abusing illegal substances to share their experiences and challenges. Data are collected by conducting in-depth and face-toface interviews with the participants. The collected data are analysed by following the eight steps of Tesch in Creswell (2009:186). Data are analysed using Lincoln and Guba’s model of trustworthiness of qualitative research for validation. The study endeavours to obtain an understanding of the experiences and challenges encountered by fathers, parenting children, abusing illegal substances and how social workers could assist in addressing this dilemma. / Social Work / M.A. (Social Work)

In South Africa, substance use, abuse and dependency is twice the world norm. To address this trend, the continuum of care guides legislative prescriptions for the treatment of a substance use disorder. This study aimed to address the lack of a description of the utilisation thereof in literature and recent research findings. A qualitative approach was followed and purposive sampling was employed to collect data from both service providers and users of services. Tesch’s framework for qualitative data analysis (Creswell, 2014:218) was used to identify themes, sub-themes and categories, while the data was compared with existing literature on the identified themes. The trustworthiness of the findings was enhanced by the verification of the data through aspects of credibility/authenticity, transformability, dependability and conformability (Schurink, Fouché and de Vos, 2011:397). Informed consent, confidentiality , non-compensation, debriefing of participants, and the management of information were considered to ensure ethical practice. / Social Work / M.A.(S.S.)