Hajléktalan szerhasználók perspektívái: Interpretatív fenomenológiai analízis

Abstract

Background and Aims: Homeless people who use substances are one of the most vulnerable and marginalized groups in society, living in socially disadvantaged situations and being particularly affected by the problems caused by substance use and street life. The aim of our research is to assess this community’s perceptions of substance use, recovery and their experience of street drug use, relationships and identity.
Methods: In our present research, we conducted semi-structured interviews with eight homeless substance misusers, which were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). This method allowed us to focus on the individual-specific, subjective ele­ments of the events.
Results: Four overarching themes emerged from the analysis of the interviews: life-changing events (Theme 1); substance use (Theme 2); homelessness (Theme 3); and contradictions related to recovery and substance use (Theme 4).
Discussion: Negative life events for homeless substance users contributed to the persistence of homelessness and substance use. Substance use is a stable segment of identity, shaper of social relationships, status-creator and -maintainer. Important aspects of self-worth consisted of accumulated knowledge and experience of drugs and homelessness, and relationships with peers. The need for recovery and the actions and beliefs taken towards it are contradictory, and as a consequence, substance use cessation is typically unsuccessful. Unsuccessful attempts generate self-protective self-appraisal.