A Phenomenological Study of Underlying Factors Contributing to Substance Use Relapse after Long-Term Sobriety
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54536/ajhp.v4i1.6387Keywords:
Long-Term Sobriety, Recovery Process, Rehabilitation, Relapse, ResidentsAbstract
This study explored the lived experiences of male participants who experienced relapse after long-term sobriety, as well as the factors that contributed to their relapse among the residents of Rebirth Therapeutic Community Foundation Inc. It is a qualitative study that uses a phenomenological approach to identify subjective experiences, emotions, and the meanings that residents attach to various life events or situations during their sobriety. The participants of the study were six (6) residents of the program who completed a formal rehabilitation for substance use disorder and maintained at least six months of continuous sobriety before experiencing any relapse within the past twelve (12) months. Eight (8) general interview questions were used during the interview process with responses interpreted, analyzed, and categorized to patterns and themes through interpretative phenomenological analysis. Spending prolonged time, member checking, and description are all utilized to ensure the study’s reliability and validity. Results have shown that lived experience of residents, such as dealing with relationship conflict, experiencing loss, and falling into a cycle of progressive substance dependence, were factors of relapse despite long-term sobriety. Consequently, they have employed coping strategies for recovery such as building supportive relationships, purposeful engagement and embracing learning and transformation during their rehabilitation process to pursue a meaningful life beyond recovery.
References
American Addiction Centers. (2022, February 8). Addiction Relapse: Risk Factors, Coping & Treatment Options. American Addiction Centers. https://americanaddictioncenters.org/treat-drug-relapse
American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. (2018). Substance Abuse and Intimate Relationships. Aamft.org. https://www.aamft.org/AAMFT/Consumer_Updates/Substance_Abuse_and_Intimate_Relationships.aspx
Balana, L. D., & De, C. V. (2024). The Lived Experiences of Plea-Bargaining Agreement Grantees among Selected Residents of DOH-Treatment and Rehabilitation Center. American Journal of Human Psychology, 2(1), 175–181. https://doi.org/10.54536/ajhp.v2i1.3246
Collins, J. (2024, March 22). What is a Relapse, and How Can I Deal With One Happening? Clear Behavioral Health. https://clearbehavioralhealth.com/what-is-a-relapse/
Crabbe, R. (2022, May 9). How Addiction and Isolation Connect - Free by the Sea - Washington. Free by the Sea. https://freebythesea.com/the-sad-connection-between-addiction-and-isolation/
Dangerous Drugs Board. (2024, April 29). 2023 Statistical Analysis - Republic of Philippines - Office of the President. Republic of Philippines - Office of the President. https://ddb.gov.ph/2023-statistical-analysis/
Devi, S., & Rana, S. singh. (2023, September 1). Relapse in Drug Addiction: A Review. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/376207171_Relapse_in_Drug_Addiction_A_Review
Fahrizal, Y., Hamid, A., & Daulima, N. (2019, October 1). Drug Abuse and Relapse Prevention Mechanisms: A Phenomenological Study on The Lived Experiences of Former Drug Users in Yogyakarta Indonesia. Www.atlantis-Press.com; Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/icosihsn-19.2019.25
Kabisa, E., Biracyaza, E., Habagusenga, J. d’Amour, & Umubyeyi, A. (2021). Determinants and prevalence of relapse among patients with substance use disorders: case of Icyizere Psychotherapeutic Centre. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy, 16(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13011-021-00347-0
Moradinazar, M., Farnia, V., Alikhani, M., Karyani, A. K., Rezaei, S., Rezaeian, S., Matin, B. K., & Najafi, F. (2020). Factors Related to Relapse in Patients with Substance-related Disorders under Methadone Maintenance Therapy: Decision Tree Analysis. Oman Medical Journal, 35(1), e89. https://doi.org/10.5001/omj.2020.07
Mousali, A. A., Bashirian, S., Barati, M., Mohammadi, Y., Moeini, B., Moradveisi, L., & Sharma, M. (2021). Factors affecting substance use relapse among Iranian addicts. Journal of Education and Health Promotion, 10, 129. https://doi.org/10.4103/jehp.jehp_984_20
Nagy, N. E. S., Ella, E. I. A., Shorab, E. M., Moneam, M. H. E.-D. A., & Tohamy, A. A. (2022). Assessment of addiction management program and predictors of relapse among inpatients of the Psychiatric Institute at Ain Shams University Hospital. Middle East Current Psychiatry, 29(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s43045-022-00246-5
National Cancer Institute. (2019). NCI Dictionaries. National Cancer Institute; Cancer.gov. https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries
R.A. 9165. (2002, June 7). Lawphil.net. https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2002/ra_9165_2002.html
Setiawan, A., Sahar, J., Santoso, B., Mansyur, M., & Syamsir, S. B. (2024). Coping Mechanisms Utilized by Individuals With Drug Addiction in Overcoming Challenges During the Recovery Process: A Qualitative Meta-synthesis. Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health = Yebang Uihakhoe Chi, 57(3), 197–211. https://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.24.042
UNODC. (2024). World Drug Report 2024. United Nations : Office on Drugs and Crime. https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/world-drug-report-2024.html
Vafaie, N., & Kober, H. (2022). Association of Drug Cues and Craving With Drug Use and Relapse. JAMA Psychiatry, 79(7), 641. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2022.1240
WHO. (2024). Drugs. Www.who.int. https://www.who.int/health-topics/drugs-psychoactive
Xia, Y., Gong, Y., Wang, H., Li, S., & Mao, F. (2022). Family Function Impacts Relapse Tendency in Substance Use Disorder: Mediated Through Self-Esteem and Resilience. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.815118
Zeng, X., & Tan, C. (2021). The Relationship between the Family Functioning of Individuals with Drug Addiction and Relapse Tendency: A Moderated Mediation Model. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(2), 625. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18020625
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 R.C. Angeles, P.S. Dela Rosa, R.M.M. Florendo, P.M. Mariano, J.B.D. Pamintuan, R. Soreda, L.B. Balana
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
