Effect of drug addiction on the biopsychosocial aspects of persons with addiction in Kuwait: Nursing implications

Addiction is often seen as a "family illness" that has biological, psychological, and socio-cultural aspects that should be taken into consideration in order to achieve successful treatment and prevent relapse. The aims of this study are to describe the effect of drug abuse on the biophysical and mental health, family relationships, and job performance of individuals with addiction. The study also investigated drug-associated habits of persons with addiction in an Arabic society. This study was conducted in the Psychological Medicine Hospital, Kuwait. Data were obtained from 237 persons with addiction who were receiving treatment in the addiction center. A self-administered questionnaire designed in Arabic was used for data collection. Pearson and Mantel Hazel tests showed that addiction affects the biophysical, mental, behavioral, and occupational status of individuals with addiction. Also a relationship was found between drug addiction and disrupted family environment. Strategies for nursing intervention focused on family therapy as an important consideration in the management of drug addiction.