A qualitative exploration of the role of NGOs in the recovery support for persons with substance use disorders in a low-income African setting

Abstract

Background In sub-Saharan Africa, most government mental health facilities are under-resourced to cater for the mental health needs of the population, including the provision of treatment and recovery support services for persons with substance use disorders (SUDs). However, in other settings, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play significant roles by complementing governments’ efforts in the provision of care for vulnerable groups. Presently, no study exists that examines the contributions of NGOs in the recovery support of individuals with SUDs in the Ghanaian context. This study sets out to explore the role of NGOs in the recovery of persons with SUDs in Ghana. Method Using a descriptive qualitative design, eight staff (directors and senior recovery practitioners) from eight NGOs in southern Ghana were purposively selected and interviewed face-to-face using semi-structured interview guide. The interviews were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using the thematic analysis within an inductive approach. Results The results showed that NGOs provide three main services: treatment of drug addiction (through psychotherapy and recovery capital), re-integration of recovered individuals into society, and advocacy and awareness creation in schools and communities. These efforts are thwarted by limited qualified professionals and inadequate government support. Conclusion Our results underscore the need for government agencies to collaborate with NGOs involved in the recovery management of persons with SUDs and other mental disorders to complement their efforts in strategizing, designing, and implementing context-appropriate substance misuse prevention and intervention programs and policies in Ghana.

Residential and inpatient treatment of substance use disorders in Sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review

“…A study from Ghana reported that before reception into the treatment facility, most clients are taken to a psychiatrist for an examination. When this has not occurred, psychiatrists will sometimes visit the facility, particularly to oversee the detoxification of a patient [ 56 ], whereas in-house detoxification was shown to be less common in one South African study [ 55 ].…”

“…Aftercare typically includes services offered to patients after treatment completion that involves periodic return visits to the treatment facility, and ongoing access to some outpatient services. Aftercare was mentioned as being offered in facilities in Ghana [ 56 ], South Africa [ 55 ], and Nigeria [ 45 ].…”

“…Nurses were reported to be the most common type of staff working in SUD inpatient treatment in Nigeria [ 55 ]. In Ghana, the majority of the facilities reported either having a resident or visiting psychologist who provides ongoing psychotherapy to patients [ 56 ].…”

Depression and Anxiety among Low and Middle-Income Turkish Women: The Roles of Coping, and Personal and Environmental Resources/Düşük ve Orta Gelirli Türk Kadınlarında Depresyon ve Anksiyete: Baş Etme ve Kişisel ve Çevresel Kaynakların Rolü

“…In the current study, received social support is operationalized as support from a non-governmental organization (NGO) which boosts the education and social skills of children who work on the streets and provides psychosocial support to their lower-income mothers. Especially in poorer countries or disadvantaged groups in wealthy countries, NGOs may hold structured psychoeducational programs or psychosocial interventions for specific groups such as people with HIV, substance use disorder or depression (Asante et al,2021;Chacrapani et al, 2022;Rose-Clarke et al, 2020), and refugees (Acarturk et al, 2022;Rawlinson et al, 2020;Sijbrandij et al, 2020). However, there has yet to be any previous research on the role of receiving unstructured, need-based social support, not an intervention, from an NGO on well-being in women with lower income.…”

If They Cannot Pay for Everything: Overcoming Barriers to Accessing and Utilising Formal Rehabilitation for People Who Use Drugs (PWUD) in Ga East Municipality, Ghana

“…PWUD face stigma and discrimination in various aspects of their lives. In many Ghanaian communities, PWUD are often treated with disdain and perceived as cursed or as societal misfits (Asante et al, 2021). This stigma has led to the proliferation of quasi treatments and treatment centres that view substance-abuse disorders as religious afflictions.…”