Occupational Lives in Sustained Recovery From Alcohol Dependency: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis.

Emily L Vegeris,Rob Brooks

doi:10.1177/15394492211042265

Abstract

Alcohol use is a significant risk factor for ill health. Although many people complete treatment, only one third maintain their sobriety. Research has suggested that occupational engagement supports early recovery, but its role in sustained recovery is not known. This study aimed to explore the occupational lives of individuals in sustained recovery from alcohol dependency. An interpretive phenomenological analysis methodology was used, utilizing an occupational perspective. Participants were recruited from a substance use recovery center. Data were collected through interviews and analyzed thematically. This study had three participants. Four themes emerged: (a) shaping occupational lives, (b) shifting coping strategies, (c) finding a gateway to new social connections and a sense of belonging, and (d) establishing a new role in the context of recovery. Findings suggest that in sustained recovery, occupations develop new meanings and purposes that have the potential to support recovery.

Highlights

Alcohol use has been identified as the greatest risk factor for death, disability, and ill health for 15- to 49-year-olds (National Drug Treatment Monitoring System, 2018)
Interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) posits that lived experiences can be understood through examination of the meaning that individuals attach to their experiences and requires the researcher to interpret this meaning through their own theoretical lens (Smith et al, 2009)
This theme represents the way in which addiction appeared to influence the occupational lives of participants

Summary

Introduction

Alcohol use has been identified as the greatest risk factor for death, disability, and ill health for 15- to 49-year-olds (National Drug Treatment Monitoring System, 2018). About 60% of those who enter treatment for alcohol dependency successfully completed it (Public Health England, 2019), but it is estimated that more than three quarters relapse within a year (Thompson, 2016). Public Health England (2019) notes each re-presentation to treatment services to be a separate “recovery journey.”. Recovery will be operationalized as the time that has elapsed since the individual’s most recent successful completion of substance use treatment, allowing exploration of their most recent recovery journey Public Health England (2019) notes each re-presentation to treatment services to be a separate “recovery journey.” In the present study, recovery will be operationalized as the time that has elapsed since the individual’s most recent successful completion of substance use treatment, allowing exploration of their most recent recovery journey

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion