Failure to get rid of addiction, The Process of Quitting among Addicted Women in Shiraz

Goal: This research aims to conduct a data mining analysis on the mental models of addicted women in Shiraz. Method: The logic of the research is of an applied type that utilizes a qualitative approach and employs a theoretical foundation. Through theoretical and purposive sampling, 17 participants were selected. Findings: Through the analysis of interviews, 65 codes were identified, which were transformed into 34 concepts and ultimately into 15 categories. Personal factors such as experience, self-awareness, ostracism, and disapproval of addictive behavior have led women towards the quitting process. They have chosen a strategy of rethinking to break free from addiction. However, for women, these concepts have a cyclical effect and have made the quitting process more challenging due to family, societal, and cultural pressures compared to men. The presence of these categories in women's lives has made the quitting experience more difficult, and they have experienced multiple unsuccessful attempts. Consequently, the core category of "failure in quitting" has been considered for women, which reflects their inability to quit. The categories of relapse triggers, fear, personality breakdown, marginalized lives, and depressed minds are the consequences of the quitting process among women. Therefore, the categories have shown that the quitting process is experienced differently by women, and breaking free from addiction is much more challenging for them than for men. Social, familial, and cultural conditions have made it difficult for women to be accepted as addicts, and they have less potential to break free from the addiction cycle.