Browsing by Author "Jacobs, Danyschka"

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    The availability and accessibility of aftercare services for recovering adult addicts in the Western Cape
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2021-03) Jacobs, Danyschka; Slabbert, Ilze; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Social Work.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Globally, substance abuse is on the rise. In South Africa, however, substance abuse has reached epidemic proportions. Social workers in South Africa have been tasked to address and combat substance abuse along a continuum of care, by providing prevention, intervention, and aftercare services. In this context, this study aims to explore the availability and accessibility of aftercare services to recovering adult addicts in the Western Cape, South Africa. The goal of the research study was to explore the availability of and accessibility to aftercare services for recovering adult addicts within South Africa with a distinct focus on the Western Cape. The purpose of the research was to investigate whether or not there were sufficient availability of services and accessibility to aftercare treatment for recovering adult addicts in order to provide them with protective factors needed to maintain sobriety. The research study utilised and referred to the biopsychosocial model as its theoretical underpinning in analysing the needs of recovering addicts across biological, psychological, social, and cultural domains. This was also applied to see if the accessibility and availability of aftercare services met these biopsychosocial needs. The service users that was investigated were recovering adult addicts. A qualitative approach alongside purposive sampling was utilised to investigate and explore the experience of these service users in terms of their perception regarding the availability and accessibility of aftercare services once they have left treatment. The information was collected with the use of semi-structured interviews guided by an interview schedule. The interviews were conducted along ethical-based practices by ensuring that informed consent was obtained from all 16 participants prior to the interviews being conducted. Confidentiality was respected and maintained throughout the study and debriefing services were available at all times. These participants were selected via a criteria of inclusion, namely that they were at that stage all entering the aftercare phase of treatment and had to have direct knowledge and experience about the accessibility and availability of these services in their communities. The interviews were conducted via Zoom video calls, given that face-to-face interviews were not possible due to Covid-19 and the subsequent lockdown regulations. Once the data reached saturation, the interviews were transcribed and underwent thematic analysis. The data was categorised into themes, sub-themes, and categories. The four themes identified were the biological challenges, psychological challenges, social challenges and cultural challenges in relation to the accessibility and availability of aftercare services. The data of the study underwent a verification process ensuring the validity of the study through safeguarding the credibility, transferability, dependability, and conformability of the data obtained. The researcher furthermore explored the relevant literature, together with the policy and legislative frameworks pertaining to the accessibility to and availability of aftercare services in South Africa. These findings were then analysed in light of the empirical investigation to gain knowledge on the lived social experiences of recovering addicts in attempting to access available aftercare services in their communities in the Western Cape. After examining the literature and empirical findings, the researcher was able to provide applicable conclusions and recommendations. It is evident from this research study that recovering adult addicts experience numerous structural, systemic and attitudinal barriers regarding the accessibility and availability of aftercare services, especially amongst the disadvantaged communities of the Western Cape. It is recommended that a concerted effort be made by non-profit organisations as well as government departments to render and establish the availability and accessibility of aftercare services to all communities and recovering addicts in the Western Cape. It is also recommended that further research be conducted on the accessibility to and availability of aftercare services across South Africa. Finally, it is recommended that further research on the actual implementation of policies and legislative frameworks in light of aftercare treatment in South Africa, be explored.