What sustains the addict who is living without his/her substance of choice?
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- Title
- What sustains the addict who is living without his/her substance of choice?
- Creator
- Julie Shannon
- Supervisor
- Anthony Venditti.
- Date
- 2014
- Abstract
- The term addiction has become a reification, only too often eliciting stereotypical responses and prejudiced attitudes and sadly, many heroin and crack users have grown to identify with the crudely phrased, once a junkie, always a junkie mentality. This research study challenges this response by phenomenologically considering what sustains the addict when he or she is living without their substance of choice and how this might inform treatment approaches moving forward. The literature review explores some of the theoretical underpinnings and contemporary understandings of addiction, comparing these with the experiences of a small sample of participants who have maintained an existence without heroin or crack, following a period of entrenched use. Their addiction is considered, not intrapsychically or pathologically in terms of drug effect but by exploring the experience of relating to self, the world and others in it. Whilst the government is focusing, albeit understandably on outcome measurement as a result of structured treatment models, it suggests that there is a failure within the current treatment agenda to address the importance of individual life meaning both at the level of our immediate encounter with the world or on a more spiritual level with the exploration of deeper life meaning. The paper highlights the importance of authenticity and courage as the juxtaposition of life and death, ecstasy and agony require profoundly personal commitment from both the therapist and the client It acknowledges the vitality of hope acceptance and possibility and asks that we do not underestimate the validity of simple human encounter."
- Subject
- Substance-Related Disorders-therapy|Addiction|Substance abuse- Drug abuse|
- Psychotherapy and Counselling
- Extent
- 115 pages
- Format
- Publisher
- Regent's University London
- degree
- MA in Psychotherapy and Counselling
- Language
- English
- Type
- Thesis & Dissertation
- Rights Holder
- Regent's University London & Julie Shannon
- Item sets
- Theses or Dissertation