Life and Stigma Experiences of Individuals With Substance Use Disorder: a Qualitative Study

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the life and stigma experiences of individuals with substance use disorder who received inpatient treatment in an adult detoxification center. Data for this qualitative phenomenological study were collected in Istanbul between April and December 2023. The data were analyzed using Colazzi steps. A total of 26 individuals with substance use disorder were interviewed. The content analysis identified three main themes. The initial topic discussed was the effect of substance use on individuals' lives. The sec-ond theme discussed was stigmatization. The final theme addressed coping with stigmatization. The study revealed that participants experienced negative emotions, including regret, guilt, and shame, due to stigmatization, exclusion, and discrimination. Substance use treatment should not only focus on pharmacotherapy but also the psychological and social needs of the individual. Furthermore, to address negative attitudes in society, mental health professionals could inform families and disseminate anti-stigma programs.