Factors Influencing Change in Behavior among Residents with Drug Addiction in a Mental Hospital in Ghana

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the factors that influence the achievement of the state of sobriety in a drug addiction rehabilitation center.

Materials and Methods: A qualitative research approach using an exploratory descriptive design was used. In-depth interviews of 12 residents who received care at a drug addiction rehabilitation center in southern Ghana were interviewed using a semistructured interview guide. The participants (residents) were purposively selected for the study from December 2015 to May 2016. The average length of each interview was about an hour. All interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using content analysis.

Results: The research revealed that the attitude of health professionals/counselors, residents, and their social support network influenced the change process. Moreover, discomfort produced by drugs/substances and a broadened knowledge base in drugs/substances influenced change.

Conclusions: The factors that influenced behavior change were multifactorial. However, positive and negative human factors and the rehabilitation program were instrumental. No single change agent could bring about the desired behavioral change in drug addiction rehabilitation.