The Impact of Treatment on Addicts: An Explorative Study

ABSTRACT The aim of this thesis is to explore the impact of treatment on male addicts who attend Narcotic Anonymous (NA) meeting between the ages of 45 to 60 years that have been free from drug addiction without relapse in 10 years. The interest is to really understand how the addicts have been impacted and what factors have contributed to their being able to remain free from drug abuse without relapse. The research is a qualitative study. Semi structured interviews based on interview guide that are made up of six open ended questions was used to generate information (Primary data) from eight interviewees. The data generated was analyzed using qualitative content analysis in hermeneutic perspective. Also, Maslow’s need hierarchy theory and early research was used to analyze the data that were generated. It was found that the former addicts experienced improvement in their psychological health identity and social situation. Furthermore, they were impacted by different treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy, environmental therapy and the NA 12-step program. The findings of the study also indicates that the interviewees gained job, education and driving license because of the drug abuse treatment they have undergone. In addition, having a partner, stable family and regular attendance of NA meeting have helped the interviewees to remain free from drug use in 10 years. Furthermore, from the findings, improved psychological health, improved changes in identity and social situation are themes found from the coding and categorization from qualitative content analysis method. The main theme found is getting new ways of gaining control of addiction in relation to improved psychological health, improved changes in identity and improved social situation