Characterization of the lifestyle in the recovery stage of adolescents addicted to illegal drugs

Abstract

Introduction: The use of illegal drugs by adolescents is nowadays considered as a global public health problem. Cuba is not an exception of this problem. Once the addiction is established, the lifestyle developed by each individual is determinant for the recovery process.

Objective: Characterize the lifestyle of adolescents addicted to illegal drugs in the recovery stage.

Methods:  The research was based in mixed design and consisted in the study of 26 adolescents addicted to illegal drugs whom were attended in the Mental Health Service of Playa municipality, Havana, Cuba during the first quarter of 2018. It was applied the ´´Questionnaire of Lifestyle – Health Promoter´´ and four focus groups were formed.

Results: The 26 patients assessed showed an irresponsible behaviour towards health and self-care. However, the interpersonal support was adequate in 76,9% of the studied cases, and 46,15% of them presented skills for an adequate management of stress. It was identified lack of adequate habits of physical activity (73,1%) and of nutritional behaviours and auto-updating (69,2%).

Conclusions: Addictions are a chronic disorder and the treatment for recovery has among its pillars the modification of lifestyle. Interpersonal support and skills to manage stress that the addict patient is able to develop would help to assume his-her lifestyle and health with more responsibility. In order that the recovery process ends up satisfactorily and to avoid that demoralizing relapses occur, it must be seek the adequacy of self-steem, the commitment with realistic life projects and satisfaction with the personal situation.