Substance addicted individuals and family system: An examination from the crisis intervention perspective

Substance addiction is a biopsychosocial problem that affects the addicted individual, their family members, the systems they interact with starting from their immediate environment, and the entire society. Many crises related to addiction are experienced, and these crises fundamentally shake the family system. It has been suggested that overcoming the challenges faced by individuals addicted to substances in coping with crises can be achieved by strengthening the family system. Although approaches that focus on the family in the treatment and rehabilitation process were included much later, it is considered that they are not given the necessary importance in the present day. In families with individuals addicted to substances, there are common characteristics, and it is thought that studies that do not include the family, due to the presence of addiction within the family, have limited impact. Studies in the field of substance addiction, which is an important area of social work, will not be limited only to the addicted individual and their family but will also prevent social problems and affect all the systems involved. In this study, a qualitative research was conducted with parents who receive support for their children from Balıkesir Uyuşturucu ile Mücadele Birimi; the intervention methods for crises arising from their children's substance addiction, family system, and addiction processes were aimed to be explained with a phenomenological approach. As a result of the study, it was concluded that the treatment and rehabilitation should start from within the family where addiction crises occur. Strengthening the family system by developing its own strength and coping skills has supported the family in coping with addiction crises.