Experiences of Individuals with Alcohol and Drug Addiction at Rehabilitation Centres in Ghana David Adzrago 1* , David Teye Doku 2 and Addae Boateng Adu-Gyamfi 3 1 East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee, USA 2 University of Tampere, Finland and University of Cape Coast, Ghana 3 University of Cape Coast, Ghana * Corresponding author: David Adzrago, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee, USA; Tel: +1-423-676-4675; E-mail: adzrago@goldmail.etsu.edu Received date: July 21, 2018; Accepted date: August 09, 2018; Published date: August 16, 2018 Copyright: © 2018 Adzrago D, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Abstract Background and Objective: Although rehabilitation helps to restore the physical, social, psychological, and emotional health and wellbeing of individual addicts, their families, and communities, it is often inadequate in many parts of the world, especially in developing nations, despite the high level of alcohol and drug use and addictions. This was a qualitative study and explored the experiences of alcohol and drug addiction patients at two rehabilitation centres in Ghana. Methods: The sample comprised fourteen patients and fourteen service providers at two rehabilitation centres in Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana. An interview guide was used to conduct tape-recorded in-depth interviews and the data were analysed through content analysis. The study adopted a phenomenological research paradigm to understand the lived experiences of the study participants and to provide a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of rehab services and patients’ experiences. Results: The results indicated that addiction patients argued that recovery from addiction and compliance with rehabilitation service was a challenge as a result of poor and inadequate material and human resources. The patients also expressed their dissatisfaction about negative attitudes of service providers at the centres. The negative attitudes of service providers, among other things, could result in a delay of patients’ recovery and in relapse of their conditions. Conclusion: Patients must not be viewed as victims of their circumstances; instead, they must be motivated to speed up their recovering processes. Also, creating an enabling environment for service providers and patients could foster peaceful interaction and co-existence which would facilitate recovery processes. There should be periodic review of rehab services and training for rehab service providers to improve rehab services and to make them more accessible. Keywords: Alcohol and drug addicts; Addiction; Rehabilitation Background Te misuse of alcohol and drugs is a challenge faced by numerous nations throughout the globe as illicit drug and alcohol use has serious efects on people’s health and livelihood as well as national economies [1]. It is estimated that 200 million people take illicit drugs every year that translates to 1 in 20 people aged 15 to 64 taking an illicit drug, while 25 million are regarded as drug addicts and at least 15.3 million with drug use disorders [2]. Alcohol and drug addiction is a complex illness characterised by intense and, at times, uncontrollable craving, along with compulsive seeking and use that persist even in the face of devastating consequences [3]. Individuals with addiction globally encounter socio-economic and health efects but these experiences are predominant in sub-Saharan Africa including Ghana [4]. Tus, people with addiction for the most part experience family problems, accidents, criminal conduct, violence, homicide and suicide, cardiovascular disease, cirrhosis, and mental disorders as well as death [4]. Nonetheless, alcohol and drug addiction is as yet not perceived as a medical issue in numerous societies including Ghana [5]. Consequently, numerous individuals with addiction are vilifed and have limited or no access to treatment and rehabilitation services [5]. Most people become alcohol and drug addicts because of shame, guilt, and stigmatisation owing to family disruption, family violence, loss of employment and fnancial instability, marital breakdown, physical and psychological abuse as well as continuous advertisement of alcohol and drug products [6]. Rehabilitation, which helps to restore the health, social, psychological, and emotional wellbeing of the individual addicts, their families, and communities, is ofen limited in many parts of the world especially in developing nations including Ghana despite the high level of alcohol and drug use and addictions [7,8]. Globally, there are limited medical facilities accessible for rehabilitation of alcohol and drug addiction and only 1.7 beds per 100,000 populations are available for rehabilitation of this condition [9]. Just a single in six addicts worldwide receive treatment or rehabilitation every year, and only nine percent of nations have routine screening and brief mediations for alcohol and drug use disorders in primary health care facilities [10]. Even with limited data, it is still evident that low-income and middle-income countries and vulnerable populations bear an increased burden of disease and injury due to J o u r n a l o f A d d i c t i o n R e s e a r c h & T h e r a p y ISSN: 2155-6105 Journal of Addiction Research & Therapy Adzrago, et al., J Addict Res Ther 2018, 9:4 DOI: 10.4172/2155-6105.1000363 Rsearch Article Open Access J Addict Res Ter, an open access journal ISSN:2155-6105 Volume 9 • Issue 4 • 1000363