According to the DSM-5, what was once called “substance abuse and dependence” is now categorized as Substance Use Disorders (SUDs), defined by a problematic pattern of substance use leading to significant impairment or distress. Symptoms include impaired control, social problems, risky use, and physical dependence (tolerance and withdrawal).

Psychological addiction services provide evidence-based care through screening, assessment, counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, relapse prevention, group therapy, and family support. These services aim to address not only the biological aspects of addiction but also the emotional, behavioral, and social drivers that sustain it.

By aligning with DSM-5 criteria, psychological interventions help individuals recognize harmful patterns, build coping strategies, and work toward long-term recovery and mental well-being.

Huduma za Kisaikolojia kwa Wenye Changamoto za Uraibu (Kwa Mtazamo wa DSM-5)

Kwa mujibu wa DSM-5, kile kilichokuwa kinaitwa “substance abuse and dependence” sasa kinajulikana kama Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) au matatizo ya matumizi ya vilevi. Hii inahusisha mtindo wa matumizi ya pombe au dawa za kulevya unaoleta madhara makubwa kiafya, kijamii, au kisaikolojia. Dalili zake ni pamoja na: kutoweza kujizuia, matatizo ya kifamilia au kijamii, kujiingiza kwenye hatari, na utegemezi wa mwili (mfano mtu akishindwa kuacha bila kupata dalili za mwitikio kama kutetemeka au wasiwasi).

Hapa Tanzania, changamoto hizi zinaonekana zaidi kupitia ulevi wa pombe, matumizi ya bangi, khat/mirungi, na hata dawa za sindano. Tatizo linakuwa kubwa zaidi kutokana na unyanyapaa (stigma), ukosefu wa huduma maalum, na changamoto za kimaisha kama ukosefu wa ajira au msongo wa mawazo.

Huduma za kisaikolojia kwa wenye uraibu zinahusisha mambo kadhaa:

• Uchunguzi na upimaji (screening & assessment) ili kujua kiwango cha tatizo.
• Ushauri nasaha (counseling) kwa mtu mmoja mmoja au kwa makundi.
• Tiba ya kitabia (CBT) kusaidia kubadilisha mawazo na mienendo hasi.
• Motivational Interviewing (mahojiano ya kuhamasisha) kusaidia mtu kuona thamani ya kubadilika.
• Kuzuia kurejea tena (relapse prevention) ili kuepuka kurudia kutumia.
• Msaada wa familia na jamii, maana kupona si safari ya mtu peke yake bali ya wote waliomzunguka.

Kwa kufuata viwango vya DSM-5, huduma hizi zinasaidia Watanzania wenye changamoto za uraibu kutambua madhara ya tabia zao, kupata mbinu za kukabiliana na vishawishi, na kujijengea maisha bora zaidi. Zaidi ya hapo, tunahitaji jamii kushirikiana—kwa familia, viongozi wa dini, na serikali za mitaa—kupunguza unyanyapaa na kusaidia wagonjwa kupata msaada bila hofu ya kudharauliwa.

Kumbuka: uraibu si uvivu wala udhaifu wa tabia, ni tatizo la kiafya linaloweza kutibika.