Use and Treatment Experiences of Alcohol and Substance Addicts During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objective: The population of addicts, which is among the disadvantaged and vulnerable groups in the society, makes up one of the groups affected by the pandemic. In this regard, it was aimed to evaluate the life experiences and treatment-related conditions the individuals addicted to alcohol and substances have during the pandemic. Method: Within this framework, in-depth interviews have been carried out using the semi-structured interview technique with a total of 15 people: 10 professionals, trainers and ex-users working with addicts, and 5 addicts who still continue their treatment processes. Results: The pandemic caused some positive/negative changes in the lives of individuals that are addicted to alcohol and substances, and these changes were mainly manifested in social isolation, substance supply and treatment services. In addition, it has also been determined that social isolation brings along negative situations such as anxiety, stress and unemployment for the addicts, and these individuals experience difficulties especially when it comes to carrying on with the treatment services and adapting to the alternative methods that are being applied. Conclusion: In this respect, the addicts, who make up a vulnerable group in the general population, should be considered as a sensitive area especially during the pandemic, and institutional and systemic intervention plans should be carried out comprehensively to eliminate the negative experiences that are being faced during this period.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• addiction
• alcohol
• substance
• treatment

Covid-19 Salgını Sürecinde Alkol ve Madde Bağımlılarının Kullanım ve Tedavi Deneyimleri

Öz

Amaç: Toplumda dezavantajlı ve savunmasız gruplar arasında yer alan bağımlı popülasyonu pandemi sürecinden etkilenen gruplardan birini oluşturmaktadır. Buna ilişkin araştırmada alkol ve madde bağımlısı bireylerin pandemi sürecindeki yaşam deneyimlerinin ve tedaviye ilişkin durumlarının değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Yöntem: Bu kapsamda uzman, eğitmen ve ex-user olarak görev yapan 10 bağımlı çalışanı ve tedavi sürecine devam eden 5 bağımlı olmak üzere toplamda 15 kişiyle yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme tekniği kullanılarak derinlemesine mülakat gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bulgular: Pandemi döneminin alkol ve madde bağımlısı bireylerin yaşamlarında olumlu/olumsuz birtakım değişimlere yol açtığı ve bu değişimlerin ağırlıklı olarak sosyal izolasyon, madde temini ve tedaviye yönelik hizmetlerde kendini gösterdiği tespit edilmiştir. Bununla birlikte sosyal izolasyon sürecinin bağımlılar açısından kaygı, stres, işsizlik gibi olumsuz durumları beraberinde getirdiği ve özellikle tedaviye yönelik olarak hizmetleri devam ettirme ve uygulanan alternatif yöntemlere uyum sağlama konusunda zorlukların yaşandığı belirlenmiştir. Sonuç: Genel popülasyon içerisinde savunmasız bir grubu oluşturan bağımlıların özellikle pandemi döneminde hassas bir alan olarak değerlendirilmesi ve bu dönemde yaşanan olumsuzlukların giderilmesine yönelik kurumsal ve sistemsel müdahale planlarının kapsamlı bir şekilde yürütülmesi gerekmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• COVİD-19
• bağımlılık
• alkol
• madde
• tedavi

Kaynakça

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