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The retrospective experiences of persons with substance use disorders and the members of an interdisciplinary team regarding the provision of treatment services during a biological disaster in the Gauteng Province, South Africa
Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria 2025.
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University of Pretoria
2025
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| _version_ | 1867613519412723712 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Geyer, L.S. |
| author_browse | Geyer, L.S. |
| author_facet | Geyer, L.S. |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria 2025. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/107124 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:37:26.341Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/107124 The retrospective experiences of persons with substance use disorders and the members of an interdisciplinary team regarding the provision of treatment services during a biological disaster in the Gauteng Province, South Africa Geyer, L.S. mimizwane@yahoo.com Zwane, Noxolo Chairmaine Minenhle Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Biological disaster COVID-19 Experiences Gauteng Province Interdisciplinary teams Substance use disorders Substance-related treatment Pastoral Care Persons living with an SUD Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria 2025. Substance use disorders (SUDs) continue to pose a major public health challenge globally, contributing to disability and mental disorders. Although both global and national initiatives have aimed to expand access to treatment, many upper- and middle-income countries, including South Africa, continue to face limitations in the availability and accessibility of services for SUDs. These challenges were magnified by the onset of a biological disaster such as the Coronavirus Disease 2019/SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19) pandemic, which placed immense strain on healthcare systems, disrupted treatment services, and profoundly impacted both individuals living with an SUD and the interdisciplinary teams (IDTs) responsible for their treatment. The study had two goals, which were, to explore and gain an in-depth understanding of the retrospective experiences of persons with SUDs regarding the treatment services received during a biological disaster in the Gauteng Province, and to explore and gain an in-depth understanding of the retrospective experiences of the members of an interdisciplinary team regarding the treatment services rendered during a biological disaster in the Gauteng Province. To achieve these goals, the study employed a qualitative research approach, utilising a multiple case study design to gain in-depth insight into the disruptions, adaptations, and coping mechanisms observed within treatment centres (both inpatient and outpatient) during the biological disaster. Purposeful snowball sampling was employed to recruit participants with relevant knowledge and experience. The sample included persons living with an SUD and members of the IDT, who provided the data collected for the research in Johannesburg and Tshwane, Gauteng province. Data were collected through conducting semi-structured interviews with five persons living with an SUD, and five focus group discussions with IDT members, which included 25 participants, comprising social workers, social auxiliary workers, and nursing staff. The study was theoretically grounded in the ecological systems theory and the biopsychosocial perspective, offering a multi-layered understanding of how individual, social, and structural factors intersected during the biological disaster. Reflective thematic analysis was employed for the data analysis. The trustworthiness of the qualitative study was ensured with a focus on credibility, transferability, dependability and data triangulation. Substance-related treatment centres struggled with resource constraints and difficulties in implementing COVID-19 safety protocols, which meant that some outpatient treatment centres closed during this period. Additionally, there was an emotional impact on the members of the IDT who struggled with contracting COVID-19 and lost family members during this time, who were expected to continue to provide services. The shift to remote service delivery, which included the use of virtual mediums, provided an alternative means of support to persons living with an SUD. It also presented challenges, particularly for persons living with an SUD who required intensive care and persons who were struggling to access resources such as data. It was evident that their intrinsic motivation played a huge role in the decisions of persons living with an SUD to access and maintain their abstinence during this period. Findings from this study revealed that the biological disaster disrupted access to SUD treatment for persons living with an SUDwho were receiving treatment services, limited face-to-face sessions, and increased vulnerability to relapse, especially in the outpatient treatment centres that closed for an extended period. Despite these adversities, the members of the IDT persisted with resilience and adaptability, developing new strategies to ensure continuity of care while prioritising both patient needs and their own well-being. It was also deduced that persons living with an SUD struggled to cope due to limited services, with some experiencing relapses, isolation, and loneliness; whilst family support served as a key coping mechanism. Through data triangulation of the two data sets, and drawing on international, regional, and national policy and legislation, best practice guidelines for substance treatment centres were developed. The recommendations of this study are presented as best practice guidelines for substance-related treatment centres and relevant stakeholders, aimed at strengthening service delivery. Key recommendations include ensuring that the members of the IDT at substance use treatment centres remain up to date with emerging health trends, best practices, and innovations through regular training and institutional support. Emergency response plans should be reviewed and updated regularly in collaboration with key stakeholders to address evolving risks. Treatment centres must prioritise the physical and mental well-being of IDT members, particularly during biological disasters, by implementing policies that support their safety and resilience. Maintaining a complete on-site IDT during such crises is essential. Centres should work with stakeholders to develop and routinely review relapse prevention programmes tailored for persons with an SUD during a biological disaster such as COVID-19. Addressing these gaps seeks to inform policy and practice to ensure that SUD treatment services remain accessible, sustainable, and effective during future biological disasters. Social Work and Criminology PhD (Social Work) Restricted Faculty of Humanities SDG-03: Good health and well-being 2025-12-08T09:06:13Z 2025-12-08T09:06:13Z 2025-04-16 2025-08-26 Dissertation * A2025 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/107124 DOI 10.25403/UPresearchdata.30675755 en © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Biological disaster COVID-19 Experiences Gauteng Province Interdisciplinary teams Substance use disorders Substance-related treatment Pastoral Care Persons living with an SUD The retrospective experiences of persons with substance use disorders and the members of an interdisciplinary team regarding the provision of treatment services during a biological disaster in the Gauteng Province, South Africa |
| title | The retrospective experiences of persons with substance use disorders and the members of an interdisciplinary team regarding the provision of treatment services during a biological disaster in the Gauteng Province, South Africa |
| title_full | The retrospective experiences of persons with substance use disorders and the members of an interdisciplinary team regarding the provision of treatment services during a biological disaster in the Gauteng Province, South Africa |
| title_fullStr | The retrospective experiences of persons with substance use disorders and the members of an interdisciplinary team regarding the provision of treatment services during a biological disaster in the Gauteng Province, South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | The retrospective experiences of persons with substance use disorders and the members of an interdisciplinary team regarding the provision of treatment services during a biological disaster in the Gauteng Province, South Africa |
| title_short | The retrospective experiences of persons with substance use disorders and the members of an interdisciplinary team regarding the provision of treatment services during a biological disaster in the Gauteng Province, South Africa |
| title_sort | retrospective experiences of persons with substance use disorders and the members of an interdisciplinary team regarding the provision of treatment services during a biological disaster in the gauteng province south africa |
| topic | Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Biological disaster COVID-19 Experiences Gauteng Province Interdisciplinary teams Substance use disorders Substance-related treatment Pastoral Care Persons living with an SUD |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/107124 |