The lived experiences of Iranian women overcoming challenges in addiction recovery: A qualitative study

The main aim of the current study was to explore the experiences of Iranian women overcoming addiction in the city of Urmia in Iran, during October 2022. Employing a qualitative research method through semi-structured interviews, the study targeted 31 women who were selected using purposeful and snowball sampling, and in-depth interviews were conducted. The analysis of these interviews revealed various themes organized into four main categories. (1) Blame, social stigma and social humiliation. (2) The lack of social support. (3) Challenges in maternal roles. (4) Disconnecting from friends and neighbors. The findings suggest that women who have overcome addiction are striving to restore both their own identities and their family dynamics to a pre-addiction state, seeking acceptance within the family and managing conflicts that arise during this transition. Supporting the families of women recovering from addiction is essential for both individual and community well-being. Cultivating an environment that promotes these women's active involvement in society can help reduce social harm and curb the rise of corruption and exploitation of vulnerable individuals.