Lived experiences of Caregivers of adolescents diagnosed with substance use disorder attending Kenyatta National Hospital Youth Centre

Abstract

Introduction: Substance Use Disorder among the adolescent remains a big threat to health and wellbeing of the individual and the family. Substance abuse affects all age groups but adolescent individuals are most at risk because of the negative effects substance abuse has on their physical, psychological, behavioural and social transitions. Caregivers whether a biological parent or a relative of adolescent with SUD often suffer from unintended physical, psychological and social consequences of caring for the child who is using illicit drugs. Indeed, caregivers encounter many untold experiences while parenting an adolescent on substance use. There is limited documentation of such experiences. A remarkable number of researches have focused on adolescent substance use and the experiences of adolescents and little attention has being paid to caregivers. In that respect there is need to explore the experiences these caregivers undergo as they deal with substance habituated issues rising from their adolescent child. Main Objective: The research study aimed at exploring “Lived experiences of caregivers of adolescents diagnosed with substance use disorder”. Methodology: This was a qualitative study based on in-depth interviews with 18 caregivers of adolescents with SUD conducted at the KNH youth centre focusing on their experiences. Data collected through in-depth interviews were transcribed and thematically coded. Recurrent themes were analyzed and reported. Results: Caregivers’ outcomes encompassed physical, psychological, and social experiences. Physical manifestations were illnesses such as hypertension and ulcers which directly linked to the adolescent’s substance abuse. The major psychological strain experience was stress whereas social impact experiences were manifested as social stigma, social isolation and rejection. Coping mechanisms adapted by the caregivers were broadly identified as withdrawing or engaging. Other self-directed coping mechanisms identified were diverse ranging from singing to crying in order to deal with the stress related to the adolescent’s substance use disorder. Conclusion: Caregivers experienced debilitating physical outcomes, lasting psychological effects as well as difficult social outcomes as a result of substance use by their adolescent child. While endeavoring to offer continued support in the midst of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, caregivers adopted coping mechanisms to deal with their situation. Some of which were directed towards the adolescent such as engaging with the adolescent and others directed to self, such as singing, keeping busy, keeping to self and crying. This study revealed the complex landscape of physical, psychological and social turmoil that the caregivers have to navigate while intervening for their adolescent diagnosed with substance use disorder.