Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online 2026
From Exploitation to Addiction: A Qualitative Study on a Post-Trafficking Khat Addiction Among Ethiopian Women Survivors of Human Trafficking in the Middle East
This qualitative study examines the link between human trafficking, trauma, and khat addiction among Ethiopian women who were trafficked to the Middle East. Through in-depth interviews with 20 survivors aged 24–35, the study reveals that khat addiction is primarily driven by trauma, rejection by family members, and poverty. The study also highlights the pathways to addiction, including coercion, peer pressure, and poor employment opportunities. The effects of khat addiction include physical health damage, psychological addiction, social isolation, and an increased risk of HIV infection. The study also highlights the limited nature of existing support systems, particularly trauma-informed mental health care, economic reintegration programs, and stigma-reduction programs. The implications of the study include the need for trauma-integrated interventions and specific policies to combat trauma, ease economic desperation, and reduce harm. The study's limitations include a cross-sectional design and a small sample size, which necessitate longitudinal observation. However, the study suggests comprehensive strategies to disrupt the trauma-addiction cycle, social re-entry, and systemic assistance as priorities.
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