Factors Affecting Long-term Abstinence from Substances Use

The purpose of this study is to explore the attitudes of abstainers from drug use that relate to the factors leading to long-term abstinence.

Cross-sectional study was carried out in Al-Amal Hospital to examine, which attitudes of abstainers related to long-term abstinence. A random survey was conducted on 62 subjects from extended care units. All participants were male (no female patients). Their mean age was (37.9) (SD 6.5). The Majority had already completed in-patient treatment programs and joined the extended care unit program. The survey included 39–items.

The results demonstrate that about 70% of the subjects had completed residential rehabilitation treatment programs (Unit D) and 53% had completed behavior modification program (Unit C). 74% of the subjects found both the inpatient and outpatient program useful. Moreover 85% of the sample reported that regular performance of prayers was very effective way of gaining coping skills to resist the urge to abuse substances. The majority of subjects (60–90%) frequently used problem solving, feelings expression, forgiveness, refusal and avoidance, and positive thinking as major coping strategies against relapse. In addition, the majority of the abstainers declared that about 88% of social and family relationship improved after treatment. Similarly, 80% of subjects stated that 81% of their physical health and 64% of their mental health improved significantly. As expected onset of long-term abstinence was predicted from in-patient treatment programs(C + D). Interestingly, almost three quarters of respondents reported that their quality of life had improved.