Abstract
Background: The prevalence of drug addiction among youth in South Africa presents a pressing societal concern. There is interplay of structural, individual, familial and psychological factors which contributes to this issue. Structural challenges such as poverty, education, and unemployment, coupled with individual vulnerabilities like childhood trauma and peer pressure, significantly influence the initiation and perpetuation of drug addiction among the youth. Familial dynamics, including parental history of substance use and attachment issues, further exacerbate the problem. Additionally, impaired self-determination and psychological distress amplify the susceptibility of adolescents to drug abuse. Furthermore, the impact of drug addiction extends beyond individual lives, manifesting in deviant behaviours and increasing the risk of poor physical and mental health. Therefore, more research is needed to examine the specific factors that influence drug addiction among the youth in Gauteng by targeting youth who are already seeking help or are undergoing treatment at rehabilitation and counselling centres and how these factors can be addressed through rehabilitation and counselling services.
Aim: To investigate the factors influencing drug addiction among youth attending rehabilitation and counselling centres in Gauteng, South Africa.
Methods: The study used a descriptive cross-sectional survey design. It was conducted at a drug rehabilitation centre in Gauteng. 79 Youth aged 18-24 undergoing drug addiction treatment were sampled using convenience sampling and surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire. Statistical analyses, including descriptive statistics and chi-square tests, were employed to analyse the collected data using SPSS version 29.
Results: The findings show that among the participating youth (n=79) most were Males 54.4% (n=43). The participants had an average age of 21.99 years, and initiated substance use at an average age of 17.86 years. They had a mean duration on treatment of approximately 5.37 months. The most prevalent substance reported was marijuana (54.4%), followed by methamphetamine (26.6%). A significant majority (83.5%) of the youth reported having attempted to quit substance use prior to entering rehabilitation, underscoring a high intrinsic motivation for change. Analysis of familial factors revealed that 44.3% of participants had a family history of substance abuse, and while a majority (58.2%) perceived their family environment as supportive, 16.5% reported tense/conflict and 21.5% reported absentee/neglectful family environments...