Vigilance: The lived experience of women in recovery

Abstract

Recovery from addiction is an individualized process and necessitates understanding the phenomenon from the perspective of the individual living the experience. This qualitative study seeks to understand women's lived experience of recovery. Data was collected through participant interviews of women self-identifying as in recovery and interpreted from a phenomenological lens. The overarching theme is vigilance-a way to maintain recovery from addiction through remembering, being careful, and seeking community.

Gender and recovery pathways in the UK

“…We recognise the importance of qualitative research to capture lived experiences of recovery in ways which complement our analysis here. This approach is particular suited to capturing in greater depth the experience of specific groups such as women (see for example, Lay & Larimer, 2018) and facilitating the exploration of sensitive issues such as experiences of trauma (for example, adverse childhood experiences or abusive relationships in adulthood).…”