The success of an addiction treatment programme : practitioners’ perceptions

Abstract

This study seeks to examine practitioners’ perceptions on the outcomes of the OASI addiction treatment programme. It addresses how practitioners view the successful completion of the said addiction treatment programme about broader life issues, such as the clients’ prospective employment, social integration, continued education and the sustaining of meaningful social relationships. For this purpose the author undertakes a qualitative approach. This includes indepth, face-to-face, topic guided, semi-structured interviews, with key practitioners at OASI. The whole population of OASI practitioners was selected and the five interviews were carried out over a period of three weeks. Participants have a history of addiction treatment practice at OASI and come from two lines of expertise; social workers and psychology graduates. Insights gained show how OASI practitioners view addictions as one. Insights also show that practitioners’ perceptions about the success of the outcome of the programme are generally positive and that recovery is considered by practitioners as a lifelong process.