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Patterns of mono- and polysubstance abuse were examined in a consecutive sample of 3,746 individuals presenting for treatment at two state supported drug treatment units located in the city of Durban, South Africa. Data for the study were obtained from the treatment units' case files for the 6-year period April 2006 to March 2012. An analysis of treatment-seekers demographic profiles indicated that the modal treatment-seeker was an employed, single, adult male from the Durban area, with there being no significant change in this profile over the 6-year period. There was however, a significant increase in admission numbers (19 percent) and a significant increase in the percentage of treatment-seekers who were polysubstance users (from 39 to 56 percent) across the 6-year period. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for practice and further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the lived experience of substance abusers in the South African context. Participants were 10 individuals attending a drug treatment centre in Durban, South Africa. Data were collected using open-ended interviews with data being analysed using thematic analysis. Findings suggest that normative social influences and levels of social support play an important role in shaping, maintaining, and determining the trajectory of drug usage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]