The Perspectives of Recovered Drug Addicts on the Causes of Addictions and the Stigma Surrounding Addicts in the UAE

This study aims to identify the causes of drug use and forms social stigma surrounding addiction from point view recovered addicts. Adopting a descriptive approach, researchers based their conclusions on results questionnaire that was responded by 200 addicts who have attended rehabilitation centres in Sharjah. The revealed main reasons for were peer influence, followed curiosity desire experiment with drugs. Meanwhile, majority respondents (approximately 44.0%) reported they first used drugs due influence. It also found highest percentage participants had duration more than two years, accounting approximately 41.5%. Furthermore, most commonly substance among Lyrica rate 36.5%, Methamphetamine, or crystal meth, 21.0%, cannabis hashish 14.5%). Our findings indicate friends primary individuals stigmatized recovery, 38.5%, while spouses represented group target population least 1.5%. In addition, we common experienced recovery families UAE were: damaged reputation, continuous discrimination, family embarrassment presence addict family, being reluctantly introduced other members society certain situations, lacking communication neighbours, community are often unwilling marry someone individual’s family.