Investigation of the change processes of substance addictive individuals within the framework of transtheoretical model

The research was conducted to examine how substance addicted individuals quit using substances within the framework of the transtheoretical model that explains the process of change. In this study, case study design, one of the qualitative research methods, was used. The research was conducted with 20 participants who applied to the Anti-Drug Project in Balıkesir and stopped using substances, and were selected by criterion sampling method, between August and October 2022, in the interview room of the Central and Edremit Anti-Drug Units, with interviews lasting an average of 45 minutes. The data was analyzed by the content analysis method using the MAXQDA 2020 analysis program. As a result of the research, it has been observed that individuals mostly start using substances in the circle of friends, that substance use continues due to the pleasurable effects of the substance, and that the damage caused by substance-oriented life to other areas of life is gradually increasing. It was determined that the participants preferred to be isolated when they first stopped using substances, limited their communication with the substance-using environment, spent their free time actively in the future, transitioned to a regular life and working life in a new environment, and began to make future plans. It was concluded that after quitting substance use, positive changes occurred in many areas where the participants had problems, such as health, finances, working life and relationships. Although there has been improvement in relations with the family, the damage to the relationships has not completely disappeared. Increased time spent with family and support received from both family members and the Drug Enforcement Unit have been effective in the quitting process. It was determined that the participants' awareness increased, their thoughts changed and they began to clearly see the change in themselves. It was observed that the circle of friends was one of the triggering factors that could lead the participants to use substances again, and the methods of coping with the triggers were limited. In order for change to be possible and permanent in the lives of substance addicted individuals, they must be supported and provided with the resources they need before treatment, during the treatment phase and during the rehabilitation phase. Keywords: Change, Change Processes, Social Work, Substance Abuse, Transtheoretical Model