Journal of Addiction and Dependence | 2015-07-22

Addiction: childhood experience and nurse’s roles in prevention, a qualitative study

Jamaloddin Begjani

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Factors which might contribute to initiation of drug use are complex. Parenting and early childhood experiences are thought to be as two particularly important factors. Aim: We aimed to report on the results of an inquiry that explored the early childhood experiences of substance-dependent young adults in Tehran, Iran with an assessment on the roles of nurses in prevention of drug use among youth. Methods: In this qualitative study we conducted in-depth interviews with young men and women who were either in treatment for their addiction or were active drug users at the time of the interviews as well as with their family members, nurses and health care workers. Results: The analysis of this study implicates traumatic events during childhood, an inappropriate parenting approach, the lack of knowledge about drugs and addiction, a tolerant attitude toward drug use as well as turning a blind eye on the threat of drug use among youth. The analysis of interviews with nurses revealed categories like low experience about drug use prevention and the lack of a clear definition of nurses’ role in prevention of drug use. Limitations: One of the limitations of this study is that it depends on the participants self-reporting. Conclusions: All different elements identified by the informants in this study are within the range of current nursing practice such as early childhood, community or school nursing, where there are vast opportunities and unmet needs for more nursing involvement. Nurses who work with youth and their families have a special opportunity for prevention, early detection and timely intervention for drug dependency among susceptible children. Implications for nursing and health policy: Inclusion of subjects on substance use disorders in nursing curricula would enable nursing graduates to better deal with this major public health problem. It is also important to create avenues through which nurses can specialize in this field and provide a more holistic and inclusive service.

Keywords: childhood, nurse, prevention, addiction, qualitative study