Women's Early Recovery: Managing the Dilemma of Substance Abuse and Intimate Partner Relationships

Abstract

Numerous studies have shown that women's patterns of substance use are strongly impacted by social relationships. Using a hermeneutic phenomenological method, this study examined the interplay between intimate partner relationships and substance abuse recovery through in-depth interviews with 17 women in a treatment program. Six essential themes about the dilemmas posed by recovery and relationships emerged from analysis: (a) experiencing themselves as damaged goods; (b) paying the price for both recovery and relationship choices made; (c) trading parts of self for relationships and drugs; (d) waking from the nightmare and realizing the impact of abuse; (e) hoping, but not always quite believing, in the possibility of recovery; (f) asking themselves “who's in charge of my life?” This study expands on previous findings by examining critical similarities in the dynamics of interpersonal relationships and recovery for women and the meanings they assign to each.

Personal networks of women in residential and outpatient substance abuse treatment

“…Women as well as men are frequently introduced to substance use through partners, family members and close friends who can compromise the recovery process (Warren et al, 2007; Wenzel et al, 2010) or in the case of women, may contribute to increased physical and mental health problems (Dawson, Grant, Chou, & Stinson, 2007). Negative or conflictual relationships can trigger relapse during recovery; Rivaux, Sohn, Armour, and Bell (2008) noted that intimate partner relationship problems and demands were frequently described by women as triggers for relapse.…”

Vigilance: The lived experience of women in recovery

“…Mallow and Steiker (2010) found recovery to be ''a process rather than an outcome'' (p. 108) and ''the search of a unifying definition seems to be hermeneutic'' (p. 108). Hermeneutic phenomenology purports that a phenomenon cannot be separated from the understandings that people have of it (Rivaux et al, 2008). Phenomenology appreciates the lived experience in the lifeworld by ''gaining a deeper understanding of the nature or meaning of our everyday experiences'' (Van Manen, 1990: 9).…”

“…Phenomenology appreciates the lived experience in the lifeworld by “gaining a deeper understanding of the nature or meaning of our everyday experiences” (Van Manen, 1990: 9). Phenomenological researchers strive to discern the deeper meanings of the experience of the participants “by identifying the common and unchanging components or essences of a particular phenomenon” (Rivaux et al., 2008: 959). Researchers in this tradition also bring their own lifeworld and understandings to the narratives told by the participants, and thus make sense of the narratives in iterative and interpretive ways (Van Manen, 1990).…”

“…In fact, the very way in which women are socialized may negatively impact their recovery process and ability to navigate relationships (Sun, 2007). Rivaux et al (2008) talk about the difficulty women face in recovery, due to their reliance on relationships and the roles that those relationships can play, for good or ill, in recovery. Women's personal lived experiences are informed by the cultures in which they live.…”

Social and Structural Challenges to Drug Cessation Among Couples in Northern Mexico: Implications for Drug Treatment in Underserved Communities

“…In addition to limited drug treatment access, research has highlighted the role of interpersonal and relationship dynamics in shaping recovery efforts and success (Dobkin, De, Paraherakis, & Gill, 2002; Lewandowski & Hill, 2009). In the United States, women are less likely to enter substance use treatment programs than men (Greenfield et al, 2007), which has been linked to a lack of social support from male partners or even pressure for women to continue using drugs (Amaro & Hardy-Fanta, 1995; Falkin & Strauss, 2003; McCollum, Nelson, Lewis, & Trepper, 2005; Riehman, Iguchi, Zeller, & Morral, 2003; Rivaux, Sohn, Armour, & Bell, 2008; Trulsson & Hedin, 2004). As a result, for many couples who use drugs, cessation efforts and success may be limited until both partners enter treatment and are able to support each other throughout the recovery process (Rhodes & Quirk, 1998).…”