DETERMINANTS OF RETURN TO ACTIVE USE AMONGST PREVIOUSLY REHABILITATED USERS OF NYAOPE WITH A HISTORY OF MULTIPLE REHABILITATIONS

Returning to active use of nyaope is one of the most problematic issues amongst previously rehabilitated persons who use this substance in South Africa. To understand this aspect in-depth, the study sought to explore the determinants of return to active use from those who have been rehabilitated multiple times. An exploratory qualitative design was utilised for this study. A semi-structured interview guide was developed, and face-to-face interviews were conducted with 13 participants who were recruited from a rehabilitation centre in Tshwane, Gauteng, South Africa. Interpretive phenomenological analysis was the method utilised to analyse the data collected. During analysis, lack of mental determination/compelled rehabilitation, incomplete rehabilitation sessions, failure to cope with stressful life events, supernatural influence, boredom, and hanging out with the same peers who are active users of nyaope, were identified as determinants of relapse. The findings of this study show that successful detoxification and therapy do not guarantee sustainable abstinence from nyaope. The results of this study highlight the need to improve the current interventions by incorporating strategies that will prevent users from returning to active use after going through the rehabilitation process. Keywords: harmful use, nyaope, rehabilitation, relapse