Recovery based on spirituality in substance abusers in Iran

The comparison of spiritual well-being and empathic tendencies in midwifery students: A cross-sectional study from Turkey

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between spiritual well-being and empathic tendencies of midwifery students and the affecting factors. The sample of this descriptive-correlation type study, one of the descriptive research methods, included 237 midwifery students. The data were collected using the Descriptive Information Form, the Empathic Tendency Scale, and the Spiritual Well-Being Scale. Empathic tendency was higher among those who chose the midwifery department voluntarily, those who liked the department, those who felt that the department was suitable for them, those who participated in social and scientific activities, those who wanted to progress in the profession, those who wanted to work in the field and those who followed publications related to the field; Spiritual well-being was higher among those who felt that the department was suitable for them, those who participated in social and scientific activities, those who wanted to progress in the profession, those who participated in activities that provided the development of the profession, those who wanted to work in the field and those who followed publications related to the field. It was determined that the empathic tendencies and spiritual well-being of midwifery students were at a moderate level, and as a result of the comparison of Empathic Tendency Scale and Spiritual Well-being scale scores, there was a significant positive relationship between them.

Ups and downs of drug rehab among women: a qualitative study

Background

According to recent studies, the number of women drug users is dramatically increasing. However, the information on the issue of drug rehab in women is not sufficient, and there are numerous traditional, organizational, political and cultural barriers to the provision of relevant information in this regard in Iran. This study, thus, aimed to explain the factors influencing the decision of these women to stop drug use.

Methods

This qualitative study was conducted in two rehab camps of Isfahan (in Iran) on July to October 2017. Thirty participants (women drug users) were selected through purposive and theoretical sampling until data saturation was reached. Data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews. The transcribed interviews were analyzed using conventional content analysis.

Results

Based on the analysis of the obtained results, the women’s experience of the ups and downs of stopping drug use yielded two themes and nine sub-themes. The themes were “the need for emancipation (the deviated path, being abused, compulsive drug use, acquaintance with God, a supportive family)” and “Sinking factors (non-assisting mates, pro-addictive family, unawareness of assisting official organization and non-government organization, woman’s lack of authority, ineffective opportunities)”.

Conclusions

It was concluded that addiction rehab strategies can lead to a brighter life for women drug users only when they are coupled with open-hearted assistance of the families and women specific rehab centers are established to help them meet their specific needs.

Spiritual care performed in a drug user clinic

ABSTRACT Objective: To know the spiritual care practices of health workers in the context of an inpatient unit for the treatment of addictive disorders, aiming to incorporate an expanded care practice. Method: Qualitative study considering the Convergent Care Research theoretical framework. The data collection occurred using semi-structured interviews, with three rounds of conversations and informal chats with 14 health professionals, from July to November 2017. The analysis followed the steps of apprehension, synthesis, theorization and transference. Results: Four categories emerged: respect for user ethical values; addressing the beliefs and values of professionals; the health professional-user relationship; and collective spiritual care. The main actions highlighted were individual (relaxation and prayer) and collective (meditation, spirituality and the 12 steps). Conclusion: The rounds of conversations carried out in this research allowed workers to talk about spiritual care in addiction, to better understand its relevance to meet the needs of the patient.

Spirituality, Religiosity and Addiction Recovery: Current Perspectives

Substance use disorders are an important public health problem with a multifactorial etiology and limited effective treatment options. Within this context, spirituality-based approaches may provide interesting and useful options in managing substance use disorders. This kind of intervention can have positive effects in alleviating some core symptoms associated with substance use, such as aggressiveness. Improvement in cessation rates for alcohol, cocaine and opioid use disorders have also been described in some clinical studies. However, spirituality may not play a beneficial role in some subgroups, such as among individuals with crack cocaine and cannabis use disorders. A widely available intervention for alcohol use disorders is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), which can be seen as a spirituality-based intervention. Spirituality also seems to be especially beneficial for minorities such as Latinos, African-Americans and Native-Americans. Moreover, spiritual-based interventions are also helpful alternatives in many rural environments where conventional healthcare for substance use disorders may not be easily available. However, spiritual-based interventions may be considered as a possible adjunctive therapeutic option to conventional treatments. There is a need for prospective studies outside U.S., especially where spiritual-based approaches are available. It may be difficult to carry out randomized controlled trials because of the nature of the spiritual/ religious dimensions. However, prospective studies that evaluate mediation effect of spirituality and religiosity on recovery would be helpful. Qualitative studies combined with quantitative design offer excellent options to evaluate the recovery process, especially among special populations.

The family strengths in the context of psychoactive substance dependence

Abstract Objective: To apprehend the perception of relatives of psychoactive substances dependents about their facilitating strengths to deal positively with the adversities from this context. Method: Qualitative and descriptive study developed between July/2016 and August/2017 at Psychosocial Care Center Alcohol and Drugs of a city on the countryside of São Paulo, through a semi-structured interview for data collection. Eight family members of chemical addicted participate. The interviews were recorded by audio, transcribed and analyzed by content analyze technique, thematic category. Results: The relatives recognized that their facilitating strengths permeated through the religiosity and spirituality, beliefs systems, support from the specialized mental health service support and of friendship, whilst social support network. The strengths also depended on the cohesion and assertive communication of the family. Conclusion: The facilitating strengths recognized by relatives help them deal positively with adversities in the chemical addiction context, strengthening the familiar resilience.

Experiences of substance abusers from methadone maintenance therapy

Background: Substance abusers are not able to withdraw drugs eternally despite the abundance of different treatments; therefore, withdrawal programs are not quite successful and notwithstanding all the successes of methadone maintenance therapy, there are some defects found in the manner this treatment is applied. Thus, this study was conducted to explore the experience of drug abusers regarding methadone maintenance therapy. Methods: This is a qualitative study using content analysis methodology. The research community includes drug abusers admitted to the treatment centers of the western cities of Mazandaran Province, Iran in 2016. The sampling was purposive and the data were collected by face-to-face single interviews with 20 patients. The interviews were continued up to data saturation. Finally, the Lundman and Grenheim method was used to analyze the interviews and the four criteria of Guba and Lincoln were applied to check data integrity. Results: "Buying time," "methadone dependence," and "looking from a narrow view to the patient" were the main three categories that fit the results. Conclusion: Governmental free services for drug abusers; paying attention to different aspects of treatment such as mental, emotional, and social recovery; lifelong support of the family and society members; and balance in prescribing and following the treatment process prescribed by health care providers can enhance both the quality and safety of the treatment process. Psychological consultation alongside social services can facilitate the recovery process in methadone maintenance therapy.

Spirituality Concept by Health Professionals in Iran: A Qualitative Study

Background. For years, researchers have sought to provide a clear definition of spirituality and its features and consequences, but the definitions provided of this concept still lack transparency. The present qualitative research was conducted to clarify this concept within the religious-cultural context of Iran. Materials and Methods. The present conventional qualitative content analysis was conducted with an inductive approach. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 17 spiritual health experts and activists selected through purposive sampling. Results. Three themes emerged from the analysis of the data, including (1) the structure of spirituality, (2) defects in the conceptualization of spirituality, and (3) spirituality in practice, which are explained in this paper with their relevant subthemes and codes. The definition which this study proposes for this concept is that “spirituality is the sublime aspect of human existence bestowed on all humans in order for them to traverse the path of transcendence that is closeness to God (Allah).” Conclusion. The definition provided by this study is similar to the previous definitions of this concept in its main part (transcendence) and in incorporating a God-centered view of spirituality within the context of an Islamic society. This definition has implications for health services' education, research, and practice in similar societies.