Assim Alpaslan

PREVENTING RELAPSES AMONGST CHEMICALLY ADDICTED ADOLESCENTS: EXPLORING THE STATE OF CURRENT SERVICES

The susceptibility of adolescents to chemical addiction has become a major international concern. Approximately 25% of people in Central Asia and Eastern Europe who inject chemical substances are under the age of 20 years (Youth at the United Nations, 2006), while up to 75% of unintentional injuries among adolescents in America are related to substance abuse (Page & Page, 2003:196). On the national level approximately 25% of adolescents under the age of 20 are involved in substance abuse (Western Cape Department of Social Services and Poverty Alleviation, 2006:13). A report from the South African Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Abuse (2007:3) highlights that, of the 2 798 persons who received in-patient treatment in the Western Cape, 27% were under the age of 20, more than any other age group in treatment.

THE REALITIES RELATED TO THE LIVING CONDITIONS OF UNISA’S UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS RESIDING IN SUNNYSIDE, TSHWANE

In its 2015 strategic plan: an agenda for transformation (2006:7), one of Unisa’s mission statements is articulated as follows: “[to] address the needs of a diverse student profile by offering relevant student support, facilitated by appropriate information and communication technology”. In an effort to make this mission statement a reality, a logical point of departure is to answer the following question: “What are the needs of students enrolled at Unisa?”

THE COPING STRATEGIES EMPLOYED BY UNISA’S UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS TO ADDRESS THE REALITIES EXPERIENCED WITH RESPECT TO THEIR LIVING CONDITIONS IN SUNNYSIDE, TSHWANE

A dearth of information about the realities related to the living conditions of Unisa’s undergraduate students in general emerged as a central research problem for an investigation into the realities and coping strategies relating to the living conditions of a sample of Unisa’s undergraduate students who reside in Sunnyside, Tshwane.

Aftercare to chemically addicted adolescents: An exploration of their needs

Treatment of chemical addiction includes preparation for treatment, formal treatment and aftercare. The latter appears to be a neglected area in service delivery to chemically addicted adolescents, contributing to the high relapse potential following treatment. The current qualitative study aimed at both exploring and describing the aftercare needs of chemically addicted adolescents. The chemically addicted adolescents included in this study received in-patient treatment as well as aftercare, but nonetheless experienced a relapse; necessitating further in-patient treatment. Purposive sampling was implemented to recruit 31 participants between the ages of 14 and 20 years. The sample size was determined by data saturation. Data for this exploratory, descriptive and contextual study were collected by means of narrative inquiry. Tesch’s framework for qualitative data analysis was employed and data verification was conducted through Guba’s model. The findings illustrated a need to attend to adolescents intrapersonal and interpersonal as well as environmental needs following treatment. The results can provide service providers with focus areas to be included in aftercare services to these adolescents. Die behandeling van chemiese afhanklikheid sluit die voorbereiding vir behandeling, formele behandeling en nasorg in. Laasgenoemde blyk ‘n afgeskeepte area te wees in die lewering van dienste aan chemies-afhanklike adolessente, wat bydra tot die hoe terugvalpotensiaal wat op die behandeling volg. Hierdie kwalitatiewe studie was daarop gerig om die nasorgbehoeftes van chemies-afhanklike adolessente te verken, sowel as te beskryf. Die chemies-afhanklike adolessente wat by hierdie studie ingesluit was het vantevore beide binnepasientbehandeling en nasorg ontvang, maar ten spyte hiervan teruggeval; wat verdere binnepasientbehandeling genoodsaak het. Doelbewuste steekproefneming is geimplementeer om 31 deelnemers tussen die ouderdomme van 14 en 20 jaar te werf. Die steekproefgrootte was deur middel van data versadiging bepaal. Data vir hierdie verkennende, beskrywende en kontektuele studie is versamel deur middel van narratiewe ondersoek. Tesch se raamwerk vir kwalitatiewe data-analise is toegepas en dataverifikasie is uitgevoer aan die hand van Guba se model. Die bevindings illustreer ‘n behoefte om intrapersoonlike en interpersoonlike, asook omgewingsbehoeftes wat op behandeling volg, aan te spreek as deel van nasorg. Die resultate kan diensleweraars van fokusareas voorsien wat ingesluit kan word in nasorgdienste aan hierdie adolessente.

Narrating the journey of sustained recovery from substance use disorder

BackgroundThe reported high rate of relapse in the context of an ever-increasing rate of substance abuse internationally and in South Africa together with the fact that the topic of sustained recovery from Substance Use Disorder (SUD) appears to be totally neglected in extant literature and research agendas motivated the researchers to conduct this investigation. The aim was to obtain an in-depth understanding of how individuals recovering from a SUD experience and sustain their recovery in order to fill the gap in the knowledge base.MethodsA qualitative research approach was followed, employing a narrative and phenomenological research design alongside an explorative, descriptive and contextual strategy of inquiry. Fifteen participants were purposefully recruited; and data were collected by means of individual, face-to-face interviews. Schlossberg’s Transition Process Model (1981) (Schlossberg NK, The Counselling Psychologist 1981;9(2):2-18, Schlossberg NK, Journal of Employment Counselling 2011;48:159-162, Anderson ML et al., Counselling adults in transition: linkingSchlossberg’s theory with practice in a diverse world., 2012) served as a theoretical framework and provided the backdrop to, and foundation for, the presentation of the research findings.ResultsParticipants’ entry into recovery was triggered by an internal or external crisis caused by chemical substance abuse. They had to embrace a psychological mind set change, involving commitment to a new way of life in order to sustain their recovery. This, among others, was facilitated by participants’ acceptance of the concept of ‘disease of addiction’ or finding a new faith-based identity. The 12-Step programme and further education and development were found to spiritually support sustained recovery. Strong ongoing support from specialised substance abuse support and/or religious groups, interpersonal relationships with family, spouses and sponsors as well as supportive work environments played a major role in sustaining recovery. The act of helping others further helped the participants to sustain their own recovery.ConclusionRegardless of the pathway of recovery, there are key aspects that appear to aid sustained recovery. In grouping these according to the four S’s in Schlossberg’s Transition Process Model (Schlossberg NK, The Counselling Psychologist 1981;9(2):2-18, Journal of Employment Counselling 2011;48:159-162, Anderson ML et al., Counselling adults in transition: linkingSchlossberg’s theory with practice in a diverse world., 2012): self, situation, strategies and support, they seem to facilitate the adaptation to transition from addiction to sobriety. Internal psychological and spiritual resources in terms of self; support (from family, church and support groups); strategies to combat cravings and deal with life problems; and avoiding and managing risk-inducing situations to strengthen recovery.

THE EXPERIENCES OF SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS STUDYING AT AN OPEN DISTANCE LEARNING INSTITUTION

The article describes the experiences of social work students enrolled at the University of South Africa (Unisa) and the implications for Unisa as an Open Distance Learning (ODL) institution. An online Q-methodology survey and qualitative question was administered to 10 000 students enrolled for social work modules at Unisa, of which, 1,346 completed the survey and the qualitative question. This article focuses on the results of the qualitative data which were analysed according to Cresswell’s methodology. The themes that emerged indicated the role Unisa, as an ODL institution and the Department of Social Work, play in the lives of the students. The study confirms the importance of interacting and communicating with the students. It was revealed that the course content not only provides knowledge and skills about social work, but facilitates life-changing experiences and the development of the person.

Adolescents' Experiences and Coping Strategies with Parental Substance Addiction Within a Rural Farming Community

The abuse of and addiction to substances by parents of adolescents, especially in rural areas, is recognised as a major national and international social concern. South African legislation and policy documents provide a framework that emphasises the need to protect and care for children of addicted parents. Literature and recent studies, however, do not focus on how adolescents in rural communities experience dealing with an addicted parent. For this reason, this research study explored and described the experiences and coping strategies of adolescents in rural communities regarding the parents’ addiction. The study was based on a qualitative research approach and made use of the contextual, explorative, descriptive and narrative research designs. The findings illustrate the descriptions of participants’ perceptions and experiences related to living in a farming community, the nature of parental substance addiction, how it affects them, how they deal with it and their perceptions of support needed by them. Recommendations in terms of the micro, mezzo and macro levels serves as guidelines for social workers to assist adolescents of substance-addicted parents with the needed support, protection and care. Key terms: Addicted parents; adolescence; coping strategies; experiences; farming community; parent; rural community; social work intervention; social work perspective; substance addiction.

BARRIERS HINDERING THE EFFECTIVE INTEGRATION OF ORPHANED CHILDREN LIVING IN CHILD-HEADED HOUSEHOLDS INTO EXTENDED FAMILY FOLDS

Patel (2005:167) states that the family is a basic unit of society and plays an important role in the lives of all people, especially children. However, the HIV and AIDS epidemic has devastated the family structure, which is already strained by other detrimental factors such as urbanisation, poverty, political and economic migration, and the changing roles of women (Amoateng & Richter, 2007:1-3).

PARENTS’ EXPERIENCES REGARDING THE COMING-OUT PROCESS OF A GAY OR LESBIAN CHILD

Coming out of the closet, that is, identifying or labelling oneself publicly as gay or lesbian, is one of the most difficult and potentially traumatic experiences a gay/lesbian person can undertake (Woog, 1997). For many gays/lesbians this process is a journey which starts at the first awareness of being different from others. It then follows the route of coming out to oneself – labelling oneself as gay/lesbian – and finally letting others know of one’s sexual orientation. A large amount of the gay/lesbian person’s energy goes into deciding where, when, how and to whom he/she will disclose his/her sexual orientation. They are greatly concerned about the possible risks and consequences of “coming out” to significant others (Moses, 1986:80).

Aftercare to chemically addicted adolescents : an exploration of their needs : original research

Treatment of chemical addiction includes preparation for treatment, formal treatment and aftercare. The latter appears to be a neglected area in service delivery to chemically addicted adolescents, contributing to the high relapse potential following treatment. The current qualitative study aimed at both exploring and describing the aftercare needs of chemically addicted adolescents. The chemically addicted adolescents included in this study received in-patient treatment as well as aftercare, but nonetheless experienced a relapse; necessitating further in-patient treatment. Purposive sampling was implemented to recruit 31 participants between the ages of 14 and 20 years. The sample size was determined by data saturation. Data for this exploratory, descriptive and contextual study were collected by means of narrative inquiry. Tesch’s framework for qualitative data analysis was employed and data verification was conducted through Guba’s model. The findings illustrated a need to attend to adolescents intrapersonal and interpersonal as well as environmental needs following treatment. The results can provide service providers with focus areas to be included in aftercare services to these adolescents. Die behandeling van chemiese afhanklikheid sluit die voorbereiding vir behandeling, formele behandeling en nasorg in. Laasgenoemde blyk ‘n afgeskeepte area te wees in die lewering van dienste aan chemies-afhanklike adolessente, wat bydra tot die hoe terugvalpotensiaal wat op die behandeling volg. Hierdie kwalitatiewe studie was daarop gerig om die nasorgbehoeftes van chemies-afhanklike adolessente te verken, sowel as te beskryf. Die chemies-afhanklike adolessente wat by hierdie studie ingesluit was het vantevore beide binnepasientbehandeling en nasorg ontvang, maar ten spyte hiervan teruggeval; wat verdere binnepasientbehandeling genoodsaak het. Doelbewuste steekproefneming is geimplementeer om 31 deelnemers tussen die ouderdomme van 14 en 20 jaar te werf. Die steekproefgrootte was deur middel van data versadiging bepaal. Data vir hierdie verkennende, beskrywende en kontektuele studie is versamel deur middel van narratiewe ondersoek. Tesch se raamwerk vir kwalitatiewe data-analise is toegepas en dataverifikasie is uitgevoer aan die hand van Guba se model. Die bevindings illustreer ‘n behoefte om intrapersoonlike en interpersoonlike, asook omgewingsbehoeftes wat op behandeling volg, aan te spreek as deel van nasorg. Die resultate kan diensleweraars van fokusareas voorsien wat ingesluit kan word in nasorgdienste aan hierdie adolessente.