Samuel Ojima Adejoh, Olusegun M. Temilola & Funmilayo F. Adejuwon
To cite this article: Samuel Ojima Adejoh, Olusegun M. Temilola & Funmilayo F. Adejuwon (2018)
Rehabilitation of drug abusers: the roles of perceptions, relationships and family supports, Social
Work in Public Health, 33:5, 289-298, DOI: 10.1080/19371918.2018.1469063
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/19371918.2018.1469063
ABSTRACT
The increase in the use, abuse and misuse of psychoactive substances is not
just of concern to national government of different countries but poses a
big problem to the international community as well as of a global public
health challenge. The study explored the perceived influence of perceptions,
relationships and family support on rehabilitation of drug abusers
undergoing rehabilitation in a rehabilitation centre. The non-experimental
study design was used. The study population was that of drug abuse
patients undergoing rehabilitation in the Neuropsychiatric Hospital in
Lagos. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the respondents.
Forty drug abusers who were met the criteria of not being a psychotic, had
undergone detoxification, in the last stages of rehabilitation and consented
to voluntarily participate were interviewed using In-depth Interview Guide
to collect qualitative data based on the objectives of the study. The data
were manually content analysed. The drug abusers viewed their condition
as a mental disorder, an illness, a bad and dangerous habit that can be
treated. They viewed their relationship with their rehabilitation officers as
professional and cordial, which is essential for the rehabilitation process.
Financial, material and moral supports given by the family were identified
as important catalysts for quick rehabilitation. Rehabilitation officers and
policy makers should consider on improving on the role of professional
relationships and family support in the rehabilitation process of drug abusers
undergoing rehabilitation.
Introduction
The 20th World Drug Report revealed that globally in 2015 about a quarter billion people used
drugs. Of these, about 29.5 million people or 0% to 6% of the global adult population were engaged
in problematic use disorders, including dependence. Opioids were the most harmful drug type and
accounted for 70% of the negative health impact associated with drug use disorders worldwide
(United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2017). According to National Drug Law Enforcement
Agency (NDLEA; 2013 as cited in UNODC, 2017), drug trafficking remain a thriving business and a
serious issue in Nigeria and that strong efforts are needed to control its trade. Report revealed that
Nigeria has the highest one-year prevalence rate of cannabis use (14.3%) in Africa and ranked third
in Africa with respect to the one-year prevalence rates of cocaine (0.7%) and opioids use (0.7%)
(UNODC, 2011).