Long-term relapse prevention strategies among poly-substance users in Ghana: New insights for clinical practice
Abstract
In spite of several decades of research and treatment efforts, the rate of relapse to substance abuse remains high, averaging about 75% within a 3- to 6-month duration after treatment. Recent research has focused on exploring contextually relevant relapse prevention approaches. This study explores relapse prevention strategies utilized by individuals to support their abstinence efforts four years after treatment for poly-substance use disorders in a Psychiatric Rehabilitation Unit in Ghana. Using a qualitative exploratory approach (descriptive phenomenology), semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 individuals previously treated for poly-substance use disorders. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically with an inductive approach. Participants employed a multitude of factors and strategies, including finding a sense of purpose and meaning in life, religious and spiritual engagements, family and social support, and self-initiated schemes to maintain long-term sobriety. Clinicians should collaborate with and thoroughly explore personal, familial, and contextual factors and strategies that support the abstinence efforts of individuals recovering from poly-substance use disorder.
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Darko, G., Anokye, G. A., Yinzooya, Y. M., & Agengre, T. (2026) · Health Expectations · doi:10.1111/hex.70801
“These challenges are compounded by workforce shortages, uneven distribution of services and limited psychosocial support, all of which contribute to fragmented treatment pathways and recurrent hospital presentation [25, 26].”
- Authors
- Appiah, R.
- Affiliations
- University of Ghana (GH)
- Corresponding author
- Appiah, Richard
- ORCID
- Appiah, Richard
- Venue
- Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2020-10-08
- Volume
- 21
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 1104-1119
- ISSN
- 1533-2640 (ISSN-L)
- 1533-2659
- OpenAlex
- W3092631622
- Cited by
- 9
- References
- 29
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 1 · 2021: 1
- FWCI
- 0.36
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Homelessness and Social Issues
- Keywords
- relapse prevention, polysubstance use disorder, substance use disorder recovery, long-term abstinence, self-help strategies, meaning in life, religious and spiritual practices, family and social support, psychiatric rehabilitation, Ghana
- MeSH terms
- Ghana, Humans, Recurrence, Substance-Related Disorders, Qualitative Research, Drug Users, Secondary Prevention
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