Patients’ Perceptions of the Role of Nursing in Substance Use Disorder Treatment Programs: Qualitative Study

Background: Substance use disorders are chronic conditions with significant personal and social consequences. Nursing care plays a key role in outpatient and community-based rehabilitation programs, yet patients' perspectives on this role remain underexplored. Objective: This study aimed to explore how patients with substance use disorders perceive and interpret nursing care in community addiction treatment centers operated by the Spanish Red Cross in Madrid, Spain. Specifically, it sought to describe the organizational and care-related roles attributed to community addiction treatment centers and analyze patients' perceptions of nurses' technical and relational functions. Methods: A phenomenological qualitative design was used. Fourteen in-depth, semistructured interviews were conducted with patients undergoing treatment at Red Cross centers. Participants were selected through purposive sampling to ensure diversity in age, gender, substance use, and treatment experiences. The data were analyzed using systematic text condensation and supported by the ATLAS.ti software. Results: The center is perceived as a significant space not only for offering healthy leisure activities outside the context of substance use but also as a supportive environment that fosters a sense of belonging to a community. Patients valued the emotional support, empathy, and relational care provided by nurses, often highlighting their role in building trust and offering personalized attention. However, there was limited awareness of nurses' technical competencies. Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of holistic, patient-centered care and the need to enhance the visibility and recognition of nursing roles in addiction treatment settings.