Experienced Psychosocial Problems of Women with Spouses of Substance Abusers: A Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND: Substance dependence is one of the most important social issues in the world today, which affects not only the life of an addicted individual, but also the relatives of the substance abuser individual, and in particular their spouses and children are also exposed to multiple injuries. AIM: This study aimed to investigate the experiences of the women with the substance abuser spouse. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study is a qualitative study. Sampling was done purposefully. The data were subjected to 25 participants with in-depth and semi-structured interviews (15 wives and 7 therapists and 3 officials dealing with family members of the substance abuser) and analysed using the qualitative approach of the conventional content analysis (Granheim’s method). RESULTS: Out of the results of the interviews, two main categories were extracted, including A) family psychological breakdown and B) Disadvantaged social status. The main category of family psychological breakdown including 5 subcategories: Psychological disadvantages, losing borders in the family, insecure space house for the family, turbulent family and Concern on spouses leaving. Category of disadvantaged social status is also including 3 subcategories: trying to preserve the family’s image, social stigma, and social isolation of the family. CONCLUSION: The families, especially the women with the substance abuser spouse, are severely vulnerable in various psychological and social dimensions. Therefore, the attention of the health cares to these families is important.