EXPERIENCES OF SHAME, GUILT, SELF-LABELING, AND PERCEIVED STIGMA AMONG RELAPSING METHAMPHETAMINE USERS: A QUALITATIVE EXPLORATION OF PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AND RECOVERY

Abstract

Methamphetamine users have a complicated psychological process of relapse that depends on various emotional and social factors. The current qualitative research was an attempt to investigate the journey of shame, guilt, self-labeling, and perceived stigma in the lives of relapsing methamphetamine users in Pakistan rehabs. The semi-structured interviews were carried out with purposive sampling strategy where only the respondents who had experience of relapse after treatment were included. The thematic analysis showed that there are two higher order themes: internalized negative self-perceptions and psychosocial barriers to recovery. Minor themes were the feeling of worthlessness, self-blame, social rejection fear, and lack of social interaction. These experiences led to emotional distress and further susceptibility to further substance use. The results indicate that stigma-related emotions are important to relapse and recovery. The treatment of the shame, guilt, and stigma by using the psychological interventions could help to improve the treatment results and contribute to the long-term recovery of people with substance use disorder.