Enablers and inhibitors to quality of life as experienced by substance abusers discharged from a rehabilitation centre in Gauteng, South Africa

Abstract

Introductiion: The impacct of substancee-related and addictive disorders is a serious health problem affecting society.  Occupational therapy intervention for people with substance-related disorder is ultamately directed at enhancing the quality of lif.  `this article aims to present participants' experiences regarding their quality of life on their journey to sobriety.

Methods: A qualitative study, where an exploration of participants' perceptions and description thereof, was used to gain insight into participants' experiences of ther quality of life after discharge from a rehabilitation centre.  Individual, semi0structured interviews were held to collect data from a purposive sample of 20 participants.  `the interviews were based on the Schedule for the Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life.  A Direct `Weighting Procedure for Quality of Life Domains (SEOQoL - DW).  Dta collected were analysed using thematic content analysis.

Findings: Two themes, namely (1) "enablers to quality of life" and (2) "quality of life inhibitors" emerged from the interviews.  `The participants described the enablers to quality of life as employment, education, support, parenting and leisure; while emotions experienced, family breakdown, harmful behaviours and socio-economic status were described as the inhibitors of quality of life/

Conclusion: Engagement in occpations is emportant for the substance user to enhance their quality of life.  Occupation-based intervention is therefore crucial in enhancing quality of life, particularly in the life of a substance user whose lifelong journey to sobriety is challenged daily by the barriers they encounter.