Rehabilitation of Drug Abusers: the Roles of Perceptions, Relationships and Family Supports

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.