The Use of Joyce J. Fitzpatrick's "Life Perspective Rhythm Theory" in a Case with Substance Use Disorder Diagnosed with Craving Severity: Case Report

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to plan the patient care of a male patient with craving severity diagnosed with substance use disorder according to Joyce J. Fitzpatrick's "Life Perspective Rhythm Theory". Theoretical Framework: In this study, nursing care was applied based on the Life Perspectives Rhythm theory. Method: A male patient with severe cravings diagnosed with substance use disorder treated in a psychiatric ward was evaluated according to the rhythmic patterns in Joyce J. Fitzpatrick's "Life Perspective Rhythm Theory". Patient care was planned and implemented based on the five main assumptions of the theory. Results and Discussion: Based on Fitzpatrick's Life Perspective Rhythm Theory, it was determined that the 32-year-old male patient with craving severity who was followed up with a diagnosis of substance use disorder had problems in the process of adaptation to life perspectives in the temporal behavior pattern, increased the number of cigarettes smoked daily in the motor behavior pattern, had impulse uncontrol in the cognitive behavior pattern, and had discourses that his parents mistreated him in the perceptual behavior pattern. According to Fitzpatrick, we determined the priority of care of this case as ineffective coping, decreased self-esteem, denial, risk of violence against self or others, anxiety, ineffectiveness in maintaining health, impaired social interaction and impaired family processes. Research Implications: In this study, the planning, implementation and evaluation stages of the patient care of a male patient with craving severity diagnosed with substance use disorder were carried out according to the Life Perspective Rhythm Theory with the priorities determined by using observation and communication skills. At the end of the process, the patient stated that his level of knowledge increased in order to maintain his physical and mental well-being, and that he knew the symptoms of craving severity and the measures to be taken when these symptoms occur. Since there are very few studies based on the theory developed by Fitzpatrick, it is recommended to study with different patient groups in order to obtain precise results by concretizing the usability of the theory in patterns.