The View page displays a submission's general information and data. Watch video
Submission information
Submission Number: 202
Submission ID: 1323
Submission UUID: 2b4ce176-1198-46c6-abb0-49a2b5c86eb6
Submission URI: /2025/abstracts
Created: Fri, 06/27/2025 - 09:25
Completed: Fri, 06/27/2025 - 09:42
Changed: Mon, 07/14/2025 - 19:08
Remote IP address: 146.232.65.110
Submitted by: Anonymous
Language: English
Is draft: No
Current page: Complete
Webform: Abstract
Presenters
Ms.
Jacobs
Danyschka
Stellenbosch university
Danyschka Jacobs is a junior lecturer at the Department of Social Work at Stellenbosch University. She is currently completing her PhD in addiction research, exploring the barriers that women experience in accessing addiction treatment services in the Western Cape. She lectures in various courses involving community work, welfare policy, and various perspectives/models/ theories. She has an extensive history as an addiction counsellor in various organisations across the Western Cape.
Yes
Dr.
Slabbert
Ilze
Stellenbosch University
Dr Ilze Slabbert is the chair of the Department of Social work at Stellenbosch University. She is responsible for teaching courses in the field of substance misuse, heath care and case work. She has published several articles in international and local journals. She has also delivered several Master and PhD students. An excellent research award was presented to her in 2022. She is also on the board of SANCA Westen Cape and a member of the Research Ethics Committee of Stellenbosch University.
No
Abstract
The Forgotten Link in Addiction Recovery: Service Users’ Experiences of Accessibility and Availability of Aftercare Services in the Western Cape
THEME 2: Social Work and the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
SUB 2.2 Research and practice strategies pertaining to health, mental health and wellbeing including poverty eradication, quality education, gender equality, decent work and economic growth.
Oral Presentation
BACKGROUND:
Substance abuse has reached epidemic proportions globally, with the World Health Organization (2021) reporting 275 million users in 2021, 60 million of whom reside in Africa. In South Africa, although national data is outdated, the Central Drug Authority (2019) estimated that up to 15% of the population misuse substances. In the Western Cape, substance use is linked to rising crime, unemployment, family dysfunction, and the spread of communicable diseases (Isobell et al., 2018). While rehabilitation centres offer coping strategies within structured environments, these often prove insufficient once individuals return to communities with prevalent drug trade, socio-economic instability, and easy access to substances (Addiction Centre, 2019). Although research indicates that continued engagement in aftercare enhances long-term recovery outcomes, aftercare remains underfunded and under prioritised in South Africa. Most social work resources are focused on prevention and early intervention (Bhana, 2007), while those in recovery face structural, systemic, and attitudinal barriers to accessing continued care (Myers et al., 2014). This study explores the availability and accessibility of aftercare services in local communities in the Western Cape.
METHODS:
A qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive design was used. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with individuals in recovery who had previously accessed formal rehabilitation services and were expected to have knowledge of, or experience with, aftercare in their communities. Participants were purposively selected.
RESULTS:
Aftercare services were identified as a severely neglected component within the continuum of substance abuse care. Rehabilitation centres often lacked the capacity to deliver follow-up support, leaving most aftercare services inaccessible. Participants described challenges including limited programme availability, inadequate funding, and lack of information.
CONCLUSION:
Aftercare services are a critical yet overlooked part of substance abuse recovery. Increased investment, accessibility, and awareness are essential to support sustainable recovery. Recommendations on improving local aftercare provision will be discussed further.
Substance abuse has reached epidemic proportions globally, with the World Health Organization (2021) reporting 275 million users in 2021, 60 million of whom reside in Africa. In South Africa, although national data is outdated, the Central Drug Authority (2019) estimated that up to 15% of the population misuse substances. In the Western Cape, substance use is linked to rising crime, unemployment, family dysfunction, and the spread of communicable diseases (Isobell et al., 2018). While rehabilitation centres offer coping strategies within structured environments, these often prove insufficient once individuals return to communities with prevalent drug trade, socio-economic instability, and easy access to substances (Addiction Centre, 2019). Although research indicates that continued engagement in aftercare enhances long-term recovery outcomes, aftercare remains underfunded and under prioritised in South Africa. Most social work resources are focused on prevention and early intervention (Bhana, 2007), while those in recovery face structural, systemic, and attitudinal barriers to accessing continued care (Myers et al., 2014). This study explores the availability and accessibility of aftercare services in local communities in the Western Cape.
METHODS:
A qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive design was used. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with individuals in recovery who had previously accessed formal rehabilitation services and were expected to have knowledge of, or experience with, aftercare in their communities. Participants were purposively selected.
RESULTS:
Aftercare services were identified as a severely neglected component within the continuum of substance abuse care. Rehabilitation centres often lacked the capacity to deliver follow-up support, leaving most aftercare services inaccessible. Participants described challenges including limited programme availability, inadequate funding, and lack of information.
CONCLUSION:
Aftercare services are a critical yet overlooked part of substance abuse recovery. Increased investment, accessibility, and awareness are essential to support sustainable recovery. Recommendations on improving local aftercare provision will be discussed further.
Reviewer ONE Feedback
Dr
Ashwill Ramon
Phillips
Yes
Empirical Research
Accepted
Reviewer TWO Feedback
Dr
Poppy
Masinga
Yes
Practice
Accepted