Milestones in the trajectory of female problematic drug users

Abstract

The primary aim of this study is to investigate the milestones that contribute towards initiation, maintenance or desistance of problematic drug use in girls and women. This study also seeks to explore the subjective meaning that FPDUs give to this life experience. The interplay of a multitude of factors may contribute to the initiation, maintenance or desistance of problematic drug use can occur at any stage of a girl or woman’s life. Research participants were recruited through purposive sampling method. All participants were at the time of interview undergoing residential rehabilitation. Findings from this study indicate that experiencing or being exposed to trauma and/or violent situations together with mental health problems were the main contributors to initiation and maintenance of problematic drug use. Other significantly important factors to both initiation and maintenance of problematic drug use for women were the influence of their family of origin and relationship with their partners. Motherhood and the realization that all areas of their life are being negatively affected by the problematic use of drugs transpired to be the main motivators to exit their trajectory and seek desistance. Being of service to others and helping others through the life knowledge their acquired from their experience seems to give women who desisted from problematic drug use meaning in life. Findings from this study also highlight the importance of gender segregated treatment as women claim that this gives them safety and empowers them to talk about their past and personal issues. Lastly women claim that when counsellors truly understand their lived experience as problematic drug users they feel freer to talk about their issues and feel less judged and more supported.