Intrinsic Motivation and Psychological Connectedness to Drug Abuse and Rehabilitation: The Perspective of Self-Determination

Abstract

This study adopts the perspective of the Self-Determination Theory to look at the psychological experience of drug users and their decisions to take drugs or not, with particular emphasis on the concept of relatedness. To achieve this objective, a qualitative methodology was employed to explore the experiences of these drug users regarding how they take drugs and/or relapse. Theory-driven thematic analysis was employed to identify themes related to this topic. Results show that one’s psychological need for relatedness is an important determinant of whether one will take drugs or not, via the interaction mechanisms that exist in dimensions of affiliation and intimacy. While drug taking is a result of the modeling behavior existing in affiliated relationships, it is also a coping strategy for the ultimate satisfaction of psychological needs when human relatedness disappears. The implication is that significant others can develop unconditionally warm, caring, and empathetic supportive relationships with drug users, so as to enhance their fulfillment of psychological needs and reduce the risk of drug relapse.

Drugs as Soulmates: The Construction and Validation of a 12-Item Soulmate Scale to Measure Substance Addiction and Loneliness

“…Loneliness has been proven to be associated with unhealthy consequences. It can be a risk factor leading to social isolation and unhealthy behaviors, including smoking and loss of control over gambling [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]. Dependence on substances can be significantly predicted by loneliness [ 15 , 16 , 17 ].…”

“…The relationship between negative psychological factors and substance use is even reciprocal [ 16 ]. Since users adopt substances as a coping strategy to escape from distressing feelings, such as loneliness and social isolation, the successful escape would further reinforce them to continue substance use [ 1 , 2 , 13 , 20 ]. In the end, a vicious cycle of substance use persists.…”

“…Considering the above definitions and criteria of soulmates, substances can play the role of soulmates in the users’ minds. Substances help users to obtain relief and feel comfort and satisfaction when they have a poor relationship with significant others and are coping with a sense of loneliness [ 13 , 20 ]. The substances give them some sort of unconditional positive regard.…”

Substance Abuse: From Abstinence to Relapse

“…Positive support from family members induce confidence, brings emotional stability and develop optimistic approach in addicts that motivates them to quit drug abuse by bringing positive reinforcement. It is important to motivate the drug abuser to quit but equally important is to educate member to identify negative behaviors and approaches so that rehabilitation and abstinence of the individual is more operative, efficient and 17,18,19 persistent.…”

Substance Abuse and Public Health: A Multilevel Perspective and Multiple Responses

“…Qualitative research methods can help reveal in-depth and formative information related to the processes and development of substance abuse. For their qualitative study, Chan et al [44] interviewed 67 drug abusers to explore how their psychological experiences-with special emphasis on interpersonal relatedness-affected their drug taking and relapse behaviors. Walter et al [25] used qualitative interviewing to examine knowledge of and attitudes towards opioid use among 21 fishing industry workers in the US.…”