Abstract:
Despite the fact that there have been numerous research studies in the field of drug abuse, drug addiction relapse remains one of the most important features that have gotten less attention from researchers. As a result, the prevalence and risk factors of drug addiction relapse among drug addicts in Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital rehab center were investigated in this study. In addition, the study explored the perceptions of addicts about the effects of drug addiction relapse. The study was conducted using a descriptive cross sectional study design. To gather relevant data, the researcher designed and employed questionnaires, interview and observation. One hundred addicts and nine health care providers responded the questionnaire forms, and six relapsed addicts were participated in the interview. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics technique. And the qualitative data were analyzed using thematic data analysis technique. Among the main findings of the study, drug addiction relapse is prevalent (48%) among addicts in Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital rehab center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with the main risk factors are inability to cope with anger or frustration, easy availability of drugs, being in companying of drug users, physical dependence, and frequent passing through drug using site. According to the findings of the study, the researcher concluded in designing and implementing policies and rehab programs, the Ethiopian Food and Drug Administration, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, policy makers and other stakeholders should consider integrating and collaborating multidisciplinary, comprehensive and public health-oriented responses to eliminate relapse after stopping drug use.