Lived Experience of Primary Caregivers of Individual with Drug Abuser

Abstract

Background: Drug abuse is a major concern and is increasing rapidly in Bangladesh. The effects of addiction extend beyond the individual using a substance. Particularly the primary caregivers and other family members suffer many problems. Caring for someone with an addiction can cause significant stress and result in emotional and behavioral issues within primary caregivers’ lives. The physical & mental health of caregivers can be impacted by the stress associated with caring for individuals with drug abuse. Healthcare providers can develop more effective strategies for engaging and collaborating with primary caregivers by understanding their contextualized perceptions and challenges. While several studies have examined the experiences of primary caregivers living with drug abusers worldwide, no related literature is available, particularly in the context of Bangladesh. Aim: This study aimed to explore the lived experience of primary caregivers of individuals with drug abuse. Methods: The study design was qualitative with a Phenomenological approach. Participants were required through the registry of the National Institute of Mental Health & Hospital. Ten participants were selected purposively and interviewed face-to-face by using a semi-structured interview guide. The participants chose the interview site according to their preferences. All interviews were conducted for 30-40 minutes. Descriptive notes were taken during the interview. Data collection continued until saturation. The interview was audio recorded in Bangla, then transcribed and translated into English. Braun. and Clark’s six-step thematic analysis framework was used to identify, analyze, and present the data. Member checking was ensured to improve trustworthiness. Results: Four over-reaching themes were found that summarize the lived experience of primary caregivers: “The Interaction among primary caregivers and individuals with drug abuse”, “Challenges of primary caregivers”, “Social attitudes”, and “Overcoming the challenges”. Sub-themes were also identified with the varied responses and experiences of primary caregivers. Conclusion: The study used qualitative techniques and phenomenology to examine the perspectives, challenges, and methods of overcoming experienced by primary caregivers. The study identified several themes, including the effects of drug addiction, behaviors, relationships, feelings, challenges, social responses, financial difficulties, overcoming abilities, and the impact of the work environment and daily life. These findings demonstrate the complexity of the experiences of primary caregivers. The study recommended that healthcare professionals should organize awareness programs and provide specialized services that include counseling to support primary caregivers. Keywords: Drug abuse, Primary caregiver, Lived experience, Relationship.