Browsing by Author "Sinclair, Deborah Louise"

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    Narcotics anonymous attendees’ perceptions and experiences of substitute behaviors in the Western Cape, South Africa
    (BioMed Central, 2023) Sinclair, Deborah Louise; Sussman, Steve; Savahl, Shazly
    Much remains unknown about the dynamics of substitute behaviors during addiction recovery among persons attending recovery support groups. Insight into the nature, motives for, and course of substitute behaviors could help to shape recovery support and harm reduction services. Twenty-three semi-structured in-depth interviews (n = 14 males and n = 9 females) were conducted with a convenience sample of Narcotics Anonymous attendees from a number of groups in the Western Cape, South Africa. Participants ranged in age from 22—55 years (M = 39.3, SD = 9.35).
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    Recovery and substitute addictions in the Western Cape, South Africa: A multi-perspective approach
    (University of the Western Cape, 2022) Sinclair, Deborah Louise; Savahl, Shazly
    Understanding substitute addictions, whereby a terminated addictive behaviour is replaced with another behaviour or addiction, has implications for assessment, treatment planning and recovery of Substance Use Disorders (SUDs). As the harms of addictive behaviours extend to communities and society, it is vital to keep pace with the evolving needs of persons in various stages of recovery and to equip service providers and adapt programmes accordingly. Yet, substitute addictions are under-researched globally. This study aims to explore the nature and dynamics of substitute addictions in the Western Cape, South Africa, using a multiple methods design, comprising five separate but interrelated sub-studies.
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    Service providers’ perceptions of substitute addictions in the Western Cape, South Africa
    (SAGE Publications, 2023) Sinclair, Deborah Louise; Sussman, Steve; Vantomme, Lize
    Globally little is known regarding substance use service providers’ perceptions of substitute behaviours and this significant gap could hinder service provision and recovery outcomes. Semistructured focus group discussions (including 22 service providers across five sites) were conducted in residential treatment facilities in the Western Cape, South Africa. Service providers recognised substances (e.g. cigarettes and caffeine) and behaviours (e.g. gambling, eating, love, sex, shopping, exercise, and gaming) as potential substitutes. Identified substitute motives included managing cravings; self-medication; filling the experiential void of the primary substance, and time-spending. Concurrent behaviours and addictions were believed to be a key mechanism underlying substitution however, service providers did not uniformly screen for co-occurring behavioural addictions. Substitute behaviours were primarily considered a pathway to relapse and service providers emphasised prevention, detection and family education. To suitably intervene, screening for co-occurring behaviours should be an integral part of the assessment of those presenting for substance use treatment.
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    Substitute behaviors following residential substance use treatment in the Western Cape, South Africa
    (MPDI, 2021) Sinclair, Deborah Louise; Sussman, Steve; De Schryver, Maarten
    The dynamics of substitute behaviors and associated factors remain poorly understood globally, and particularly in low- and middle-income contexts. This prospective study describes the prevalence and types of substitute behaviors as well as predictors, correlates, and motivations associated with substitution in persons (n = 137) admitted to residential substance use treatment in the Western Cape province of South Africa. The brief assessment of recovery capital, overall life satisfaction scale, and an adapted version of the addiction matrix self-report measure were completed during and post-treatment. Results indicate that substitutes were employed consciously for anticipated appetitive effects, for time-spending, (re)connecting with others, and enjoyment. At follow-up, 36% of service users had substituted their primary substance(s) with another substance or behavior; 23% had relapsed and 40% had maintained abstinence. While some service users may be especially vulnerable to developing substitute behaviors, targeted prevention and intervention efforts can reduce this risk.
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    Youths’ perceptions of the relation between alcohol consumption and risky sexual behaviour in the Western Cape, South Africa: a qualitative study
    (Springer, 2021) Carels, Cassandra; Florence, Maria; Adams, Sabirah; Sinclair, Deborah Louise
    The purpose of this study is to explore the factors that youth identify as contributing to alcohol consumption, and more specifcally its relation to risky sexual behaviour among youth. We employed an exploratory qualitative method using focus group discussions with 34 young people between the ages of 18-25-years-old in low socio-economic status communities in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Data were analyzed thematically utilizing Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six-step thematic analysis process. We identifed two thematic domains pertaining to alcohol consumption and risky sexual behaviour, namely individual and social factors, each comprising three themes. The individual factors thematic domain comprises intrapersonal infuences, employment and educational attainment; while the social factors thematic domain includes interpersonal infuences, social infuences, and hope for the future. Youth living in low socio-economic status communities were thought to be at greater risk of alcohol misuse and subsequent risky behaviour, given the political and social history of marginalisation, systematic oppression, and social inequality. To address alcohol use and risky sexual behavior among youth, we recommend interventions with adolescents, parents or guardians, and the community. More specifcally, interventions aimed at adolescents should focus on the transition to young adulthood. Interventions with parents should focus on their role in modelling and potentially regulating alcohol consumption. Finally, community interventions should centre on drinking behaviors, levels of drinking, what constitutes harmful drinking, and how to identify when treatment and recovery support is likely to be required.