People who use drugs in rehabilitation, from chaos to discipline: Advantages and pitfalls: A qualitative study.

Rana Rizk,Gladys Honein-Abouhaidar,Nanne De Vries,Nickolas D Zaller,Nadine Mahboub

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0245346

Rana Rizk, Gladys Honein-Abouhaidar + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0245346

Copy DOI

Abstract

Evidence-based models emphasizing on lifestyle behaviours for the treatment of drug use is still in its infancy. The development of multicomponent effective drug use intervention programs as part of health promotion is crucial to decrease risk of relapse. This study aims at exploring the lifestyle practices including dietary intake, physical activity and sleep of people who use drugs undergoing residential rehabilitation treatment in Lebanon with its perceived benefits and pitfalls. A purposive sample of 18 males and 9 females at different stages of recovery from drug use in rehabilitation centers participated in the qualitative discussions. The six phases thematic analysis revealed three themes: chaotic lifestyle, structuredlifestyle, benefits and pitfalls, and suggestions for making rehabilitation a better experience. Participants discussed their chaotic lifestyle during addiction with poor food intake, disrupted sleep and low physical activity moving to a more disciplined routine enforcing normality in lifestyle practices with social and professionlprofessional support. The early phases of treatment were marked with increased food intake and weight gain perceived as a health indicator and the sole divergent from drugs, moving towards more structured meals and efforts to lose weight in later stages. Lack of variety of Physical activity programs taking into consideration the motivational differences among the participants was also highlighted. Measures for improving rehabilitation services in terms of promoting healthy eating behaviours and environmental control were thoroughly addressed. These findings shed the light on the challenges faced in maintaining a healthy lifestyle in rehabilitation centers and the necessities of addressing them to improve the overall rehabilitation experience, prevent relapse and inform the development of future targeted intervention programs tackling all aspects of behavioural changes.

Highlights

Illicit drug use among young people is epidemic and remains a significant public health concern
This study aims at exploring the lifestyle practices including dietary intake, physical activity and sleep of people who use drugs undergoing residential rehabilitation treatment in Lebanon with its perceived benefits and pitfalls
This study aims at exploring the lifestyle practices including dietary intake, physical activity and sleep of People Who Use Drugs (PWUD) undergoing treatment in Lebanon and perceived benefits and pitfalls

Summary

Introduction

Illicit drug use among young people is epidemic and remains a significant public health concern It poses harmful consequences on the individual’s emotional, social and psychological status leading to higher risks for diseases and mental disorders [1]. Brain changes that occur due to psychological and neurobiological factors in substance use disorder, make cravings for the substance more important than anything else in the person’s life [3] This severely affects the food intake of People Who Use Drugs (PWUD)’ where most of them have a low nutrient-dense food intake with sweet cravings [4,5,6] and decreased body mass index (BMI) [7,8,9,10] putting them in a mild to moderate malnutrition status [11]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion