Abstract:

This study aims to show the life experiences related to substance use of patients being treated for substance addiction treatment at the Alcohol and Substance Addiction Treatment and Training Centre (AMATEM) who have applied to AMATEM for the second time for in-patient treatment. Descriptive analysis is used in this research, which was designed using the qualitative research method. In-depth interviews have been conducted with 12 substance addicts (1 female, 11 males) being treated as in-patients for the second time. As a result of the research, people stated their reasons for re-using substances after treatment to be: withdrawal, mental traps, being around old friends that use, cravings, and weakened relations with family members. The intrinsic motivation tool that leads substance-addicted individuals to their first in-patient treatment has been revealed as suffering related to the substance, while the external motivator has been revealed as family members. In addition, individuals in the in-patient treatment process report being adversely affected by persistent incentive discourses and the behaviours of other substance addicts; this situation has had a negative effect on their treatment processes. As a result of the research, allowing individuals’ social environment to be part of the treatment process within the framework “being in one’s environment” and increasing individuals’ and their families’ awareness regarding the substance is suggested. In addition; importance should be given to protective and preventive services related to the substance through team work and having the substance-using individual be reintroduced to the socialization process must be done by using positive discrimination in order to prevent social exclusion.

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