The effect of anti-addiction training on attitudes toward substance users and sense of compassion

This study aims to investigate the impact of anti-addiction education on attitudes and compassion toward individuals with substance use disorders. The research employs a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test control groups. Participants were students aged 20–21 studying at the Faculty of Sports Sciences in a Turkish province during the 2023–2024 academic year. The experimental group comprised 28 students (7 female, 21 male), while the control group included 25 students (5 female, 20 male), totalling 53 participants. The experimental group underwent a 12-week anti-addiction training program, whereas the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the Compassion and Attitude Scale Toward Individuals Who Use Addictive Substances. Anti-addiction training resulted in a statistically significant improvement in attitudes toward individuals who use substances within the experimental group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Additionally, participants in the experimental group demonstrated significantly higher compassion scores post-training than the control group (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that targeted training programs may enhance societal sensitivity and compassion, potentially facilitating the reintegration of individuals with substance use disorders. Keywords: Addiction prevention; substance use disorder; Compassion; Education; Society