Rehabilitation of prisoners sentenced for using drugs or stimulants through guidance and awareness programs

This study, which aims to evaluate the contributions of guidance and awareness programs implemented in penal institutions to the rehabilitation process in a multidimensional way by examining the awareness levels and motivations for change towards substance use of male individuals sentenced for using drugs or stimulants, was designed in descriptive and relational screening model from quantitative research methods. Sociodemographic form, Substance Use Awareness Scale (MSAS), DUDIT (Drug Use Disorders Identification Test-Drug Use Disorders Identification Test) and DUDIT-E (Drug Use Disorders Identification Test-Extended) scales were used as data collection tools. The study group of the research consisted of 150 voluntary participants who were sentenced for using drugs and stimulants and who stayed in Open Penal Execution Institutions in Sakarya. Demographic findings indicate that male convicts are mostly between the ages of 20-40 (86.7%), substance use starts at an early age (15 years and before, 33%) and peer influence (82.4%) and family environment (56%) play an important role in substance use. Education and income level were not found to have a statistically significant effect on substance use awareness or addiction level; instead, factors such as having a relative who uses substances in the neighborhood and early age of onset were found to have a stronger effect on addiction risk. The study shows that a significant proportion of the participants (82%) have a high level of awareness of the biological, psychological and social harms of substance use (biopsychosocial impact, individual effects). However, among the same respondents, there was also a tendency to normalize and innocence substance use, which reveals contradictory attitudes towards substance use. The relatively high scores on the addiction awareness dimension reflect the participants' recognition of the addictive nature of illegal and legal substances (cigarettes, alcohol). DUDIT results showed the presence of regular or frequent use and polysubstance (polysubstance) use patterns in the sample, and revealed that factors such as loss of control, neglect behaviors, and feelings of guilt are also common in penal institutions. The DUDIT-E data showed that while participants emphasized positive perceptions (relaxation, stress reduction, happiness), they also had a high awareness of negative consequences (deterioration in family relationships, economic losses, health problems). Motivation to change was relatively high, but some participants did not have a realistic perception of the difficulty of change and the risk of relapse. The results show that guidance and awareness programs implemented in penal institutions make an important contribution to the recognition of cognitive and emotional dimensions of substance use; however, individual awareness alone is not sufficient to bring about behavioral change. These findings suggest that multifaceted interventions such as psycho-education, motivational interviewing, peer counseling and family involvement can strengthen effective rehabilitation and reintegration processes in penal institutions. The study emphasizes the need to support policies focused on early intervention and social environment and provides guidance to decision-makers and social service practitioners to develop holistic and sustainable strategies.