Building a Path to Sobriety: Challenges and Strategies of Rehabilitation Workers in the Aftercare Process of Substance-Abuse Individuals
Edmar Jane P Cerna | Nica Ella B Acebo | Daryll T Dingal | Jhade R Villarde | Darwin F Ignacio
Discipline: social work
Abstract:
Rehabilitation workers contribute to sustaining the sobriety of substance-abuse individuals who
have finished their formal treatment by delivering the aftercare process. The study explored the challenges
and strategies of rehabilitation workers in the aftercare process of substance-abuse individuals. The
researchers utilized the phenomenological research design to describe the challenges faced by the
rehabilitation workers in the aftercare process of substance-abuse individuals and the strategies they employ
as well. The researchers interviewed nine rehabilitation workers at the JJ Valderrama Behavioral
Management Center in Davao City. Utilizing the thematic analysis approach created by Virginia Braun and
Victoria Clarke, the results revealed various challenges that rehabilitation workers face: manpower shortage
and other implications, clients' commitment to aftercare, handling deception, unforeseen circumstances,
maintaining professional roles, and existing workers' limitations. Further, implementing treatment program
activities, incorporating various counseling therapies, collaborative approaches, skills, and insight-driven
approaches, emanating warmth, personality, and individualized approaches, and exhausting all efforts
emerged as the strategies employed. The findings suggested that while rehabilitation workers assist clients,
they are also human beings with limitations. Additionally, workers must utilize strategies and adjust when
things do not go as planned, as recovery is a complex process. Aftercare is of paramount importance in
building the path toward sobriety.
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