Reconstructing ‘the Alcoholic’: Recovering from Alcohol Addiction and the Stigma this Entails

Abstract

Public perception of alcohol addiction is frequently negative, whilst an important part of recovery is the construction of a positive sense of self. In order to explore how this might be achieved, we investigated how those who self-identify as in recovery from alcohol problems view themselves and their difficulties with alcohol and how they make sense of others' responses to their addiction. Semi-structured interviews with six individuals who had been in recovery between 5 and 35 years and in contact with Alcoholics Anonymous were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. The participants were acutely aware of stigmatising images of 'alcoholics' and described having struggled with a considerable dilemma in accepting this identity themselves. However, to some extent they were able to resist stigma by conceiving of an 'aware alcoholic self' which was divorced from their previously unaware self and formed the basis for a new more knowing and valued identity.

How do homeless adults change their lives after completing an intensive job-skills program? A prospective study

“…This is consistent with the notion that mutual disclosures of substance use history, including identifying oneself as an addict, is a central part of creating group cohesion within 12-step groups. As Hill and Leeming (2014, p. 761) note, within 12-step programs, “…there is encouragement to accept and retain a potentially stigmatising identity as an ‘alcoholic,’ but one who is abstinent” instead of taking sobriety for granted.…”

The Lived Experience of Codependency: an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

“…This is the first time that interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), as a specific research methodology has been used to explore the experience of codependency. Currently, there is an increasing development of IPA research looking to obtain insiders' perspectives into mental health (Knight et al 2003;Horn et al 2007;Hagen and Nixon 2011) and addiction problems (Larkin and Griffiths 2002;Rodriguez and Smith 2004;Shinebourne and Smith 2008, 2010, 2011Hill and Leeming 2014). These authors have agreed that the methodology seeks both an empathic and critical understanding of the lived experience, not often captured by other forms of research.…”

Leisure participation, substance abuse disorders, and recovery

“…Leisure associations, then, have great potential to serve as positive identity markers during the period of substance abuse and recovery (Hill and Leeming 2014). According to the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (2015), one in 12 adults in the United States suffers from substance dependency.…”

“…McCormick and Dattilo (1995) stated that 'leisure and sobriety exhibit distinct similarities both as conditions of freedom from compelled activities and as freedom to engage in meaningful action ' (27). For the person with a substance abuse disorder, then, the choice to pursue a path of sobriety comes at the expense of sacrificing a component of their identity (Hill and Leeming 2014). To have to sacrifice a second significant component of one's identity in the form of the preferred leisure activity could then be detrimental to long-term recovery (McCormick and Dattilo 1992).…”

“…Carlos tends to tell me he's proud of me when he sees me.' I asked him if it was significant that Carlos would say something like that to him, to which he responded: Much as Hill and Leeming (2014) said that feeling shameful of one's identity as a person with a substance abuse disorder is one of the hardest emotions to overcome, it was also critical for most participants to prove to others that they were worthy of respect and had taken the necessary steps to lead lives that were admirable. This closely aligns with FalsStewart, Lam, and Kelley (2009) and Rowan and Butler's (2014) emphasis of the importance of friends and family in substance abusers finding and maintaining sobriety.…”