Drug users motivations to quit drug abuse a case of drug addicts formerly at Uydel centre, sir Apollo Kaggwa road, Kampala district.

Abstract

This study sought to look at the lives of former drug addicts who had managed to leave drug addiction, how they left and how their lives were after quitting drugs. A total of 6 participants who comprised of 4 former drug addicts and 5 community members in different capacities were individually interviewed. Data was collected and subjected to analysis by way of coding and identification of arising themes. The findings indicate that environmental factors are the major reasons as to why drug users continue using drugs. However, with the help of third parties like UYDEL or other peers, the drug addicts are able to quit drugs. Traumatic experiences also contribute to the exit of some from the industry. These findings show that one factor alone is not adequate for the drug addicts to quit drugs but it is rather the interplay of several factors or when a particular issue becomes extreme that the drug addicts finally quit drugs. Even after quitting drugs, there needs to be some sort of activities to make them busy and stay away from drugs. The study suggest that environmental influence is one of the biggest reasons in the first place for drug users to start using and continue using drugs. It is therefore imperative that the drug users be supported to access other things to make them busy which enable them to maintain their dignity and remain outside using drugs.