Factors Influence Relapse Among Malaysian Women After Substance Abuse Treatment

Abstract

This study aims to determine the factors influence relapse among former Malaysian women drug addicts after substance abuse treatment. It is because relapse among society is at a worrying level, especially as it spreads to women. Prior to this situation, drug abuse was synonymous with male addicts, but women are now also involved in this problem. This was a cross-sectional study of 50 former women drug addicts six months after they received treatment at the Cure & Care Rehabilitation Centre (CCRC) in Bachok, Kelantan. All patients completed the questionnaires, and the result were evaluated by the SPSS version 19.0. The data were analyses using correlation and regression. The findings shows that the average age of respondents is within 20 to 40 years old. Studies found a positive and significant relationship between family support and relapse (r = 0.183); there is also a positive and significant relationship between friend support and relapse (r = 0.009). Besides, there is a significant, but negative relationship between motivation and relapse (r = -0.387). Additionally, there are also negative significant relationships between self esteem and relapse  (r = -0.035). The stepwise regression analysis also shows the regression model to be significant. It could be concluded that the inclination to relapse decrease when there are increases in family and friend support, motivation, and self-esteem. Women involved in drug abuse faced multiple stress and faced a high-risk of relapse. They should receive strong social support from their family and friends to ensure they could resist the urge to relapse. In addition, policy-makers must pay more attention to this issue.