HOW CAN THE HEALTH SYSTEM RESPOND TO AFTERCARE NEEDS? AN INTEGRATED MODEL OF AFTERCARE FOR PEOPLE WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER IN KWAZULU-NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA
1
Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
2
Occupational Therapy, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
There is currently a high global burden of substance use, which is burdensome to the public health and welfare system. Adequate treatment, including aftercare services, is often limited worldwide. In South Africa (SA), substance abuse contributes considerably to morbidity and mortality and treatment services are not only limited but also fragmented among stakeholders. This study aimed to propose an integrated model of aftercare for individuals with substance use disorders following the inpatient treatment phase in a public facility in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
METHODS:
A qualitative study in two phases. The first phase involved policy analysis, and the second phase consisted of two stages. Stage one was semi-structured and included focus group interviews with forty-six participants (n=46) representing all five levels of Beer’s Viable System Model, drawn from governmental and non-governmental organisations. Stage two consisted of semi-structured interviews with five persons with SUDs and their family members (n=5). Data was analysed thematically.
RESULTS:
Findings indicated that South African policies did not provide clear guidelines on aftercare. Aftercare was found to be lacking, fragmented, poorly coordinated among service providers and not well integrated into the substance use treatment system. The needs of service users demonstrated the extent and nature of aftercare required.
CONCLUSIONS:
The extent and nature of aftercare services warrant integrated, lifelong, and responsive aftercare services within SUD treatment systems, tailored to meet the needs of individuals with SUDs and their families. An integrated recovery management model of care is proposed, along with relapse management strategies essential for healthcare practitioners.
There is currently a high global burden of substance use, which is burdensome to the public health and welfare system. Adequate treatment, including aftercare services, is often limited worldwide. In South Africa (SA), substance abuse contributes considerably to morbidity and mortality and treatment services are not only limited but also fragmented among stakeholders. This study aimed to propose an integrated model of aftercare for individuals with substance use disorders following the inpatient treatment phase in a public facility in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
METHODS:
A qualitative study in two phases. The first phase involved policy analysis, and the second phase consisted of two stages. Stage one was semi-structured and included focus group interviews with forty-six participants (n=46) representing all five levels of Beer’s Viable System Model, drawn from governmental and non-governmental organisations. Stage two consisted of semi-structured interviews with five persons with SUDs and their family members (n=5). Data was analysed thematically.
RESULTS:
Findings indicated that South African policies did not provide clear guidelines on aftercare. Aftercare was found to be lacking, fragmented, poorly coordinated among service providers and not well integrated into the substance use treatment system. The needs of service users demonstrated the extent and nature of aftercare required.
CONCLUSIONS:
The extent and nature of aftercare services warrant integrated, lifelong, and responsive aftercare services within SUD treatment systems, tailored to meet the needs of individuals with SUDs and their families. An integrated recovery management model of care is proposed, along with relapse management strategies essential for healthcare practitioners.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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