EXPERIENCES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF FAMILIES WITH A CHILD OF SUBSTANCE USER THROUGH THE OBSERVATIONS OF FIELD WORKERS

Abstract

Based on the observations of professionals who work with addicted individuals, this study aims to reveal the etiological origins of the family effect in the formation and treatment processes of substance addiction in young people, and to understand family experiences in the addiction history better. The research was carried out in accordance with the qualitative research method and the phenomenological approach. In-depth interviews have been conducted with 15 people with different professions working in different institutions with drug addicts. As a result of the data that have been obtained, it has been determined that the family factor has different effects and experiences in each process from the stage that turns into addiction to the stages after addiction. While we see family problems, miscommunication, and traumatic life experiences occur in the pre-addiction process, during the addiction processes family members that become aware of the substance use later, that give behavioral responses like shock-panic-anger-hiding and develop co-dependence become prominent. During the treatment of addiction, the necessity and support of family participation is one of the most important elements for this process to be successful. Families that demand quick and easy solutions during the treatment or that can quickly lose motivation in case of disruption of the existing treatment have been identified. Likewise, it is far more frequent to see the mother participating in the treatment process longer and more actively than the father in a family. As a result, the family factor should be evaluated in its own special conditions at every stage of addiction and should be included in the treatment process. Treatment processes should not be limited only to addicted individuals, and the adaptation of the social environment and especially the families to treatment should be supported.