
Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Date
2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
Social & Behavioral Sciences
Committee Chair
Satish Kedia
Committee Member
Angelia Sanders
Committee Member
Marian Levy
Committee Member
Yong Yang
Abstract
ABSTRACT The opioid epidemic has inflicted a terrible toll on communities and families across the United States for decades. Family members with loved ones who misuse opioids have an especially intimate view of the initiation and progression of addiction, as well as the factors that lead to recovery. Perspectives from this population are underrepresented in the literature and may provide unique and valuable insight. The present research draws from in-depth interviews with twenty-seven individuals whose loved ones (i.e., children, spouses, siblings, etc.) either currently or historically had misused opioids. This study explored family members’ experiences and perspectives on key topics in the struggle to contain the crisis, including the causal factors and responsible parties for the opioid epidemic, avenues for opioid misuse prevention, and the barriers and facilitators to treatment. To capture the complexity of factors associated with these subjects, analysis was framed around the social-ecological method. In the first paper, which examines perspectives on responsibility for the opioid crisis, participants broadly acknowledge the culpability of the pharmaceutical industry while also maintaining that the medical community held some responsibility. A few participants maintained the perspective that people who use opioids are solely responsible for their own actions, regardless of other factors. Perspectives on effective strategies for prevention were focused more on community and interpersonal factors including strong relationships and good communication skills within families, and honest educational efforts in diverse community venues, so that the public develops an accurate and non-stigmatized understanding of addiction. Finally, exploration into treatment access revealed not just the hard facts of geographic and financial barriers, but important points about personal motivation, family enablement, and appropriate modalities of treatment, which vary for each individual. Each of the three studies contribute valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and recovery advocates. Overall, this research illustrates the importance of including the voices and views of family members impacted by the opioid epidemic in the ongoing effort to end the crisis.
Library Comment
Notes
Open access.
Recommended Citation
ukaoma, stella, "Family perspective on the opioid crisis: a qualitative exploration of responsibility, prevention, and treatment access" (2025). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3730.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/etd/3730
Comments
Data is provided by the student.