SOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL PREDICTORS OF RESILIENCE IN DRUG REHABILITATION: A STUDY OF RECOVERING ADDICTS IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Background: Drug addiction is a critical public health issue affecting over 6.7 million individuals in Pakistan, with youth disproportionately impacted. Despite growing efforts in rehabilitation, long-term recovery remains a challenge, particularly in resource-constrained and socially conservative settings. Resilience—the psychological capacity to adapt and recover—is increasingly recognized as a crucial factor in sustainable recovery. This study explores how psychological and social variables, including family dynamics, self-perception, and social support, shape resilience among individuals undergoing rehabilitation for substance abuse in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Objective: To examine the influence of self-esteem, self-stigma, family functioning, family connectedness, and social support on resilience among substance abuse patients undergoing rehabilitation in Islamabad.

Methods: A cross-sectional, quantitative design was employed. Using a multistage random sampling approach, 200 participants were selected from five rehabilitation centers in Islamabad. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed via SPSS version 26.0. Statistical techniques included independent sample t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and multiple linear regression to identify group differences and predictors of resilience.

Results: Family functioning (B = 0.127, p < 0.001) and family connectedness (B = 0.026, p < 0.001) emerged as significant predictors of resilience, explaining 23.8% of variance (Adjusted R² = 0.218). Female participants reported significantly higher resilience (M = 40.29, SD = 2.82) and social support (M = 42.24, SD = 3.47) compared to males (M = 38.65, SD = 4.51; M = 39.88, SD = 5.57). Self-esteem and social support were not significant predictors. However, self-stigma, despite its small effect size (B = 0.005, p < 0.001), was statistically significant.

Conclusion: Resilience in substance abuse recovery is predominantly shaped by family-based factors and internalized stigma. Interventions should emphasize family engagement and culturally appropriate stigma-reduction strategies to enhance recovery outcomes.