RELAPSE VULNERABILITY, PERCEIVED STIGMATIZATION AND SOCIAL SUPPORT AMONG DRUG ADDICTS

Abstract

The present research investigated the relapse vulnerability due to perceived stigma and presence or absence of social support among drug addicts. It was hypothesized that there is positive relationship between perceived stigma and relapse vulnerability and negative relationship between social support and relapse vulnerability among drug addicts. The demographics study shows higher level of perceived stigma and relapse vulnerability among illiterate and secondary education in drug addicts. It was hypothesized that there will be less social support with less income as well as there will be high relapse vulnerability among drug addicts belonging to lower income group. Cross sectional research design was used. The samples of 188 relapse drug addicts were selected from different rehabilitation centers of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The scales were taken in Urdu Version from Punjab University Lahore in which AWARE Questionnaire was used by Rafique & Nahee (2011), Multidimenational scale for perceived social support by Kousar and Zafar (2011) and Perceived stigma of substance abuse scale by Kousar, Ijaz & Mushtaq (2011). Result showed that there is a positive correlation between perceived stigma and relapse vulnerability and negative relationship of relapse vulnerability with social support. Result also showed that perceived stigma, social support, family support and significant others support were higher in drug addicts who have intermediate level of education. There is high relapse vulnerability among people belonging to lower income as  were higher on relapse vulnerability. The study has implications for mental health practitioners, to make intervention programmes and focus on family therapy. It is helpful for students, academician and researcher for future research on the current phenomenon.