Philippine E-Journals

An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis on the Psychosocial Factors of Drug Addiction in View of the Filipino Experiences

Christian Edo V. Abaga

 

Abstract:

The approach to drug addiction in the Philippines involves policing the trafficking of drugs that reportedly brought significant improvements on the criminal aspect of drug related crimes. The Philippines has made significant attempts to address the issue of drug addiction, yet it remains a major issue that persists throughout the country. The purpose of the study is to present a distinct perspective that may shed light on the deeper nature of drug addiction and the factors that lead to it. To make sense of the phenomenon, the researcher used interpretive phenomenology as part of a qualitative research method that included in-depth interviews with drug dependents in an anonymous locality in Antipolo City. The data were gathered from the experiences of the respondents and examined using an interpretative phenomenological analysis. The findings revealed that drug addiction is caused by a complex interplay of issues involving families, communities, institutions, and internal conflicts within individuals. Understanding the holistic dynamics of drug addiction and determining what motivates users to take drugs beyond the physiological, criminal, and judicial ramifications of drug addiction is critical to properly deal with drug addiction.