Factors Affecting Adherence to Treatment of Inpatients with Alcohol Addiction: a Qualitative Study

Abstract

Objective: This paper explores those factors affecting adherence to treatment among inpatients with alcohol addiction in Turkey. Methods: This qualitative and descriptive study was carried out in 2018. The sample consisted of 16 patients with alcohol addiction in a psychiatric clinic. The data were analyzed using content analysis. Results: Three main themes emerged from these interviews: (1) strengthening of personality; (2) structuring of treatment environment; and (3) completion of social life preparations. Strengthening of personality theme was composed of low self-esteem, anger and ineffective coping, inadequate communication skills, and loneliness sub-themes. Structuring of treatment environment theme consisted of lack of knowledge and insight, a non-therapeutic environment, and lack of treatment motivation sub-themes. Finally, completion of social life preparations theme was composed of lack of leisure activity, fighting the stigma of alcoholism, failure to initiate change and insufficient social support sub-themes. Conclusion: This study suggests that psychiatric nurses should improve patients’ self-esteem, coping and communication skills, and increase patients’ knowledge and insight about their disorder and medication, treatment motivation, and social support resources.