Abstract
Background: Substance misuse remains a global phenomenon that has a negative influence on health, well-being, and society, resulting in illness and expensive treatment expenses, ranking among the top 20 risk factors globally. In the Gauteng Province where the study took place, substance misuse has become a major challenge that has prompted the Premier to give it special attention. The literature that is available seem to focus much on the factors that influences relapse overlooking the factors that enhances sobriety. Therefore, the aim of the study was to explore the impact of aftercare programmes on service users who did not relapse in the Sedibeng region, in the Gauteng Province.
Method: The study employed qualitative research approach which is explorative in nature. Phenomenological design was used to understand the participants’ views on the factors that made them not to relapse. Five participants were recruited using purposive sampling whereas one was recruited using snowballing due to lack of suitable participants. Thematic data analysis method was employed to analyse data. Furthermore, ecological systems theory was utilised to understand how different systems helped the participants not to relapse.
Results: The study found that the aftercare programme played a fundamental role in aiding participants in maintaining their sobriety. Participants credited their successful maintenance of recovery to the professional assistance they got from the social workers and medical personnel. Furthermore, the study found that both internal and external factors were crucial in helping participants not to relapse. The internal motivation included being intentional, change of mindset and realising the need to seek help. The extrinsic motivating factors included support from family, motivation and learning from other recovering users and attending skills development programmes.
Conclusion: Although the study can conclude that the aftercare programme was essential in helping participants not to relapse, there were other factors also that contributed to the sustenance of sobriety. Aftercare programmes need to be improved to ensure a holistic approach in meeting the needs of service users.