Browsing by Author "Ndou, Nobuhle"

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    Factors influencing relapse in individuals with substance use disorders: views of social workers employed in treatment centres
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-12) Ndou, Nobuhle; Khosa, Priscalia; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Social Work.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Substance abuse is a global problem which has educed considerable concern among patients, families, clinicians, and researchers alike. Despite the various treatment strategies put in place by many countries, including South Africa, relapse remains the most noted outcome following treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs). Previous work on the causes of relapse in SUDs has failed to explore the views of social workers as treatment professionals, but focused mostly on the service user and their significant others. Hence, the goal of this study was to explore the views of social workers employed in treatment centres regarding factors that influence relapse in SUDs. Social workers as treatment professionals are usually the first point of contact with the service user before and after they relapse, which therefore makes it important to explore their views as to why service users are entangled in this vicious circle of recovery and relapse. The study is qualitative in nature and adopted an exploratory research design. The results of the study are based on an empirical investigation conducted with 20 social workers employed in various substance abuse treatment centres in the Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces, respectively. A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data from the participants through one-on-one and telephonic interviews. Thematic content analysis was used as a form of data analysis. The findings of the study revealed that various factors play a role in the precipitation of relapse at the different levels of the ecological system. It was also found that there are major gaps in the SUD treatment system in South Africa, which further exacerbates the cycle of recovery and relapse. There is a need for more public treatment facilities and the application of more locally-based treatment methodologies if relapse is to be tackled head-on. Recommendations of the study include that service users be enrolled in skills development programmes as part of their treatment to allow them to lead meaningful lives in recovery. Moreover, it is also recommended that the Government allocate more funds towards SUD treatment through adding more public treatment facilities and funding of SUD treatment NGOs. It is envisaged that the findings of the study will contribute to the development of more strategies and programmes to combat relapse as well as help in formulating and augmenting relapse prevention and aftercare programmes best suited for the South African context. Furthermore, the wider social work practice and other professionals globally, especially those in the addictions field, could benefit from such contributions which may enhance the possibility of a substance abuse free society.