research on addiction

Objective: Dependence and drug abuse are among the most important problems of the present age that have found global expansion. The consequences of these problems including mental, psychological, familial, cultural, economic, and social disorders have prevailed all social and cultural boundaries and threaten human health. Due to the effectiveness of social factors in the process of addiction withdrawal, this study aims to examine addicts' experiences of social and family supports as facilitators to addiction abstinence. Method: This qualitative study was conducted on 17 addicts under drug abstinence in Tabriz using in-depth interviews. The results of these interviews were analyzed by using a phenomenological approach and Colaizzi's method. Results: The results indicated that the following were involved in addiction relapse: three major themes, namely expectations of society, the expectations of family, and social causes; and nine sub-themes including the need for employment, attitudes towards addicts, emotional support, lack of trust in the community, community awareness, emotional support from family, negative attitudes of family towards addiction, family problems, and bad friends. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that addicts need financial, emotional, and social support from family and society an, thereby, the attitude of people in society towards addiction and addicts should be changed.