Difficulties and coping processes of family members of alcohol and substance abusers in the context of religious psychology

This study aims to examine the difficulties experienced by family members of individuals with alcohol and drug addiction, as well as their coping and religious coping processes. The research was conducted using qualitative methods and interpretive phenomenological analysis. Participants were selected through purposeful and maximum diversity sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 33 individuals, including mothers, fathers, children, siblings, and spouses of addicted individuals. The data obtained were analyzed using the MAXQDA 24 program. The study analyzed family members' experiences of the addiction process within the framework of various themes. In this context, the meanings attributed to the concept of family, family assessments of the causes of addiction, ways of learning addiction, and awareness gaps regarding this process were examined. Additionally, psychological changes experienced during the denial and acceptance process, concerns about the future, social prejudices faced by families, and their experiences of social support were also examined. Furthermore, the multifaceted effects of addiction on families, the ways families cope with addiction and religious coping methods, interventions developed outside of treatment, and the meanings and contents attributed to prayers based on their conception of God were analyzed and evaluated. The findings of the study show that addiction draws the entire family system into a crisis process. The coping methods developed by families in response to the addiction process have been largely shaped by religious-based approaches. Many participants frequently used religious themes such as prayer, trust in God, patience, expectation of divine help, the relationship between sin and destiny, testing, and surrender; they expressed that these spiritual resources served as a kind of support mechanism for them. However, some family members experienced conflict in their conception of God, distancing themselves from religious rituals, a breakdown in their understanding of fate, and contradictions in their perception of justice. In conclusion, this study reveals the psychological, social, and religious/spiritual experiences of family members during the addiction process. The study offers a new family-focused approach to the psychology of religion and emphasizes that interventions should be structured to include not only the addicted individuals but also the family system.