Place and recovery from alcohol dependence: A journey through photovoice

Abstract

It has been suggested that place, and interaction with the environment, may play a role in recovery from alcohol dependence. In this paper we report findings from a project that used an adapted photovoice methodology to better understand individuals' experience and perceptions of the role of place in recovery from alcohol dependence. Individuals attending a recovery café in central Scotland documented their environment and, in focus group settings, the individuals discussed and analysed their photographs. Here we report aspects of the environment, both therapeutic and risky, experienced by individuals negotiating the journey of dependence recovery. Elements of the natural environment were largely referred to as supportive and therapeutic, as were other more quotidian spaces, such as the home and café. The largest place-based risk faced by participants was the persistent availability and marketing of alcohol. The results demonstrate that the journey of recovery from alcohol dependence is contextually shaped, with place both supporting and hindering this journey.

Twenty-five years of Health & Place: Citation classics, internationalism and interdisciplinarity

“…With these points in my mind, we see Health & Place continuing as a key outlet for place-related research on physical activity, diet and food, and other health-related behaviours, notably smoking and drinking. Recent examples include Chambers et al (2017), Moon et al (2018), Shortt et al (2017), Macdonald et al (2018), and (Mooney et al, 2018). We also see a continuing key role for research on environments and health (eg.…”

Placing therapeutic landscape as theoretical development in Health & Place

“…Some authors emphasise the fundamentally therapeutic qualities of natural elements (Day,2007;Finlay et al 2015;Grose, 2011;Serbulea & Payyappallimana, 2012;Thomas, 2015;Volker and Kistemann, 2015;Wang et al 2018;Windhorst & Williams, 2015). Others, however, stress the therapeutic valences of non-natural elements (e.g., Bornoli et al, 2018;Masuda and Crabtree, 2010;Piet et al,2017;Shortt et al,2017). More recently, authors have picked up on ideas posited by Volker and Kistemann ( 2015) that seek to take a more subtle approach to understanding the salutogenetic and therapeutic relationships between people and different types of natural landscapes.…”

Availability, Promotion, and Signs of Alcohol Consumption: A Mixed Methods Study of Perceived Exposure and Objective Measures

“…However, other methodologies such as Participatory Action Research (PAR) might show results that are difficult to be revealed by other methodologies [33]. One such approach is Photovoice, which involves the participants in a critical discussion about a specific issue through the use of photography [34][35][36][37]. This methodology had been used previously among people with alcoholic problems [37].…”

“…One such approach is Photovoice, which involves the participants in a critical discussion about a specific issue through the use of photography [34][35][36][37]. This methodology had been used previously among people with alcoholic problems [37]. Participants identified that high exposure to alcohol availability and promotion were hindering their recovery.…”