Mental Readiness of Clients and Families Before Discharge From Drug Rehabilitation: Protocol for a Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Relapse following drug rehabilitation remains a major mental health challenge in Indonesia. Although rehabilitation programs emphasize individual recovery, postdischarge outcomes are strongly influenced by the family as the primary microsocial environment. However, family mental readiness before discharge from rehabilitation has not been systematically explored, particularly in ways that support structured and scalable postrehabilitation care. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the mental readiness of clients and their families before discharge from drug rehabilitation programs and to develop a conceptual model of family readiness that can inform future scalable assessment and follow-up support strategies. METHODS: This qualitative study protocol used a descriptive thematic design. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and focus group discussions with clients nearing completion of drug rehabilitation and their family members. Participants were recruited from correctional institutions and a regional mental hospital in Central Java, Indonesia. Data will be analyzed using thematic analysis following the Braun and Clarke framework. Reporting will adhere to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ). RESULTS: This study is funded by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of Indonesia under the 2025 research funding scheme. Data collection was conducted between July 2025 and December 2025, during which 28 participants were successfully recruited and interviewed. The study is structured into sequential phases, including qualitative data analysis, conceptual model development, and dissemination of findings. A manuscript reporting the initial findings was submitted to an international peer-reviewed journal in February 2026 and is currently under review. The findings are expected to generate a conceptual model of family mental readiness prior to discharge from rehabilitation, inform the development of future family-centered support strategies, and contribute to the evidence base for rehabilitation and mental health research. The final outputs of the project are expected to be completed by the end of 2026. CONCLUSIONS: By conceptualizing readiness as a relational and family-centered process, this study is expected to provide insights that can strengthen relapse prevention strategies and inform family-oriented discharge planning for drug rehabilitation systems. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/89763.