Lived Experience of Women with Addicted Spouses during the COVID-19 Outbreak: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: One of the most recent global crises faced by most countries was the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. It can be argued that nearly all groups, classes, and strata of society were affected by it. Among the sensitive and vulnerable groups in society were the families of addicts, particularly women with spouses who were substance users. Given the unique challenges faced by this group of women, this study aimed to analyze the lived experiences of women with addicted spouses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This research was conducted using a qualitative and phenomenological approach. A total of 19 women with addicted spouses residing in Isfahan City, Iran, who attended addiction treatment centers (including addiction treatment camps and methadone treatment centers) and social service centers located in various parts of the city, were purposively selected. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the data were analyzed using the seven-step Colaizzi method. Findings: From the interviews, 272 subcategories, 32 categories, and 7 main themes were extracted. These themes included: Bio-isolation, the experience of homogeneity between COVID-19 and addiction, COVID-19, addiction, and family, cognitive exposure and new identity, the experience of heterogeneity between COVID-19 and addiction, disruption in children's socialization due to school closures, and poor lifestyle. Conclusion: Although the conditions during the COVID-19 period were challenging for the general population, the experiences of women with addicted husbands revealed that they faced even greater difficulties in addition to the hardships of their pre-existing lives. The new circumstances led to the formation of distinct experiences for these women. © 2025, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.