The Lifestyle Changes And Relaps Of Addicted Patients Discharged From Amatem

Abstract

Objectives: To prevent relapse; an attempt is made to make changes in the addicted patients’ habits, lifestyle, improper thoughts about alcohol and substance use and to try to find new ways to be able to cope with illness. The aim of the study is to determine the addicted patients’ lifestyle changes and relapses that occur. Methods: This is a descriptive study that was performed in İzmir Katip Çelebi University, Atatürk Education and Research Hospital, AMATEM clinic, from April 2011-March 2012, with 64 addicted inpatients. The data was collected with the Personal Definition Form that includes questions made for the study’s aim. For evaluation of the data, percentage, average, and standard deviation were used. Results: The median age of the patients was 45.42 ± 10.35 years. 96.9% of the patients were males, 28.1% had graduated from high school, 32.8% were married, 28.1% were divorced and 10.9% were living apart from their partner. 78% had used alcohol; 6% had used illicit substances and 16% had used both. The patients’ former hospitalization period was nearly 34.78 ± 19.74 days and 37.5% of the patients were discharged from the hospital at their request. 70.3% of the patients said that they made differences in their lifestyle after hospitalization. 35.9% of the patients said that they changed their friends; 37.5% said that they did not enter the atmosphere of alcohol/ drugs; 21.2% said that they ate healthy foods; 18.8% said that they went to their check-up regularly; 17.2% said that they had hobbies and professions; 15.6% said that they changed their address; 6.2% said that they changed their work place; 10.9% said that they joined to the group of Alcoholics Anonymous. 81.2% of the patients experience recurrence. 54.7% of the patients experienced recurrence in the first six months. Conclusion: It can be suggested that for preventing relapse in the first six months to one year, support programs like personal therapy or group therapy can benefit.