There has been a growing interest in addiction research on what role identity has to play in terms of recovery from drug addiction. One field of study that has gained traction in this area is the social identity approach, which argues that those in recovery tend to go from an ‘addict identity’ towards a ‘recovery identity’ when enrolled in treatment. This has been criticized by critical addiction studies, who argue that this notion is fueling an already established set of binary oppositions such as normality/abnormality, health/sickness etc., said to permeate addiction discourse. They argue that identity works to restrain the lives of those in recovery, and that these binary oppositions are problematic and both stigmatizes and pathologizes former drug users to mere products of recovery. The present thesis therefore interrogates these notions further by exploring the experiences of individuals enrolled in twelve step recovery, to see how identity formation and binary assumptions are experienced by former addicts themselves. The thesis employs a qualitative approach, and data were collected through 10 semi-structured interviews with active members of Narcotics Anonymous during March and April 2021. By applying actor network theory (ANT), the analysis of the study suggests that former addicts tend to present various identity-claims besides those only tied to recovery practices. Also, enrolling in twelve step recovery and identifying as a recovering addict seemed to enrich, rather than restrain their lives. Although binary assumptions and a struggle for normality seemed a burden in active substance abuse, it is suggested to be a necessary feature of recovery in terms of providing a framework for life. Thus, the analysis suggests that recovery might be a more fluid process than these respective fields tend to assume, and that binary assumptions are perhaps a necessity in terms of staying abstinent. / Det finns ett växande intresse inom beroendeforskning gällande identitetens roll i tillfrisknande från drogmissbruk. Ett forskningsfält som belyser detta är det gällande social identitet, som hävdar att de i tillfrisknande tenderar att gå från en ’beroendeidentitet’ till en ’tillfrisknandeidentitet’ i behandling. Samtidigt kritiseras detta av teoretiker från kritiska beroendestudier, som argumenterar för att denna föreställning ger stöd åt en redan etablerad uppfattning om binära motsättningar gällande normalitet/abnormitet, hälsa/sjukdom osv., som fått fäste inom beroendediskursen. De hävdar att identitet verkar genom att begränsa livet för individer i behandling, och att dessa binära motsättningar är problematiska då de bidrar till att stigmatisera och patologisera missbrukare till att bli produkter av sin behandling. Syftet med detta arbete är därför att undersöka dessa föreställningar genom att granska erfarenheter av individer som är aktiva inom tolvstegsbehandling, för att se hur identitetsformering och binära föreställningar upplevs av före detta missbrukare själva. Detta arbete använder sig av en kvalitativ ansats, och insamlandet av data skedde genom 10 semi-strukturerade intervjuer med aktiva medlemmar i Anonyma Narkomaner i Mars och April 2021. På arbetets resultat applicerades actor network theory (ANT), och analysen indikerar att före detta missbrukare tenderar att identifiera sig med diverse andra praktiker än de endast kopplade till behandling. Analysen visar även att identifikation med tolvstegsbehandling tenderade att öppna upp och berika livet för de i tillfrisknande, snarare än att begränsa det. Även om binära uppfattningar och en kamp för normalitet tenderade att vara en börda för individer i aktivt missbruk, så verkar det vara en nödvändig egenskap av tillfrisknandet genom att förse dessa med ett ramverk för hur de kan leva sina liv. Sammanfattningsvis visar studien att identitet i tillfrisknande verkar vara en mer rörlig och icke-fixerad process än vad dessa fält hävdar, och att binära uppfattningar är en nödvändighet för att bibehålla en fortsatt nykterhet.

Twelve step organizations such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are free, community-based fellowships. Such organizations are the most widely sought recovery management options, surpassing professional treatment. The emerging evidence base suggests that involvement in such organizations is associated with positive substance-related outcomes (e.g., abstinence). Relatively speaking, however, far less is known about whether or not involvement is associated with other meaningful psychosocial constructs. The current study examined gratitude, meaning in life, life satisfaction, personal growth, and various other recovery and psychosocial constructs in a sample of self-identified NA members (N = 128) from 26 U.S. states, ranging in age from 22 to 64 years. The primary aim of the present study was to psychometrically evaluate and refine four distinct positive psychology instruments (i.e., Gratitude Questionnaire (GQ – 6), Meaning in Life Scale (MLQ), Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), Personal Growth Initiative Scale (PGIS)). The current study contained three phases. First, the psychometric properties of each instrument were examined within an Item Response Theory measurement framework. The Rating Scale Model was used to evaluate the each instrument using WINSTEPS 3.74.01. With the exception of the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (which did not conform to an IRT measurement model), each instrument was iteratively refined based on statistical and clinical considerations, resulting in the collapse of response options and the removal of poorly fitting items. These refinements improved the psychometric properties of each instrument, resulting in a more reliable, accurate, and efficient way to measure gratitude, life satisfaction, and personal growth in clinical samples. Second, items from the GQ – 6, SWLS, and PGIS were examined concurrently using the PROC IRT procedure in SAS to explore whether the constructs were distinct from one another. Results provide support that gratitude, life satisfaction, and personal growth are unique and distinct constructs. Last, the study examined several recovery-related correlates of gratitude, life satisfaction, and personal growth. Hierarchical regression models assessed whether abstinence duration and other recovery-related variables accounted for significant incremental variance in gratitude, life satisfaction, and personal growth, over and above several covariates. As a block, abstinence duration and recovery predictors accounted for significant incremental variance in all of the constructs. These data suggest ongoing recovery involvement in 12-step organizations may be associated with positive outcomes beyond abstinence. Limitations and directions for future research are discussed.

Substance use disorders (SUDs) affect a significant portion of the population and are noteworthy public health concerns. Mutual help organizations (MHOs) such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are considered evidence-based practices for SUDs. Despite a growing body of research examining mechanisms of change in MHOs, relatively few investigations of 12-step organizations have been theory-driven. Theory-based models of recovery provide a more comprehensive view of the range of individual factors affecting individuals in recovery and how and why they might engage in recovery-related behaviors. Stress and coping theory fills a gap in explaining how improvements occur as a result of MHO recovery engagement from a bio-psycho-social perspective. Although some recovery program-related mechanisms of change in MHOs have proven to be important factors in promoting long-term recovery from SUDs, fewer studies have examined what factors may influence participation in recovery practices. Using a sample of community-based Narcotics Anonymous members from 26 U.S. states, the relationships between stress and engagement in various recovery practices are examined from the perspective of a psychobiological, SUD-specific stress and coping framework. It is hypothesized that the relationship between stress and recovery practice engagement is moderated by abstinence duration, such that individuals at lower levels of abstinence duration would have fewer coping resources to mitigate stress and therefore would evidence a greater association between stress and engagement in higher levels of recovery practices. Results indicated the stress-recovery practice involvement relationship was not moderated by abstinence duration, and stress was not significantly associated with any recovery practices. However, helpfulness of social support received from individuals in recovery, abstinence duration, neuroticism, and substance use severity all significantly predicted recovery practice involvement. Gaining additional understanding of mechanisms that influence recovery involvement will allow clinicians and researchers to enhance interventions and facilitate involvement in beneficial aspects of recovery programs.

Approximately 10% of adults living in the United States meet criteria for a Substance Use Disorder. Although 12-step groups are considered evidence-based practices for substance use problems, an understanding of the underlying mechanisms by which they facilitate recovery practices remains in its infancy. The purpose of the current study was to explore whether attachment could be considered a possible mediator of the effects of recovery practices on positive psychosocial outcomes. Participants (N = 112) were self-identified NA members from 26 U.S. states who completed an online survey assessing attachment style, psychosocial sense of community, psychological well-being, and various other recovery and psychosocial constructs. Results indicated a number of recovery-related practices emerged as significant predictors of secure attachment, over and above covariates. For example, higher levels of home group comfort were associated with increased probability of secure attachment classification (by self-report). In general, psychological sense of community did not significantly predict secure attachment, over and above covariates. Although attachment predicted psychological well-being in univariate models, it generally failed to predict psychological well-being in models that included covariates and recovery-related predictors. Theoretically, these data suggest that functional social support variables are primary recovery-related predictors implicated in NA-involvement, above and beyond other structural social support variables. This further suggests that attachment-related dimensions of 12-step interventions may be integral to recovery outcomes.

Submitted by José Lamartine de Andrade Lima Neto (joselamartineneto@gmail.com) on 2017-01-19T14:04:06Z No. of bitstreams: 1 LIMA NETO,2016-(tese)Metamodelo SIIG em NA.pdf: 4987867 bytes, checksum: c5bc1bf2f3c642a924851f327e81070f (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Maria Auxiliadora da Silva Lopes (silopes@ufba.br) on 2017-01-19T15:01:23Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 LIMA NETO,2016-(tese)Metamodelo SIIG em NA.pdf: 4987867 bytes, checksum: c5bc1bf2f3c642a924851f327e81070f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-01-19T15:01:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 LIMA NETO,2016-(tese)Metamodelo SIIG em NA.pdf: 4987867 bytes, checksum: c5bc1bf2f3c642a924851f327e81070f (MD5) / RESUMO O uso de substâncias psicoativas tem sua origem quando o homem, já em sociedade, se aproveita de recursos naturais para se adaptar às dificuldades do meio em que vivia. O uso continuado pode desencadear a adicção, termo aqui empregado como uso repetitivo de uma substância com consequências danosas a longo prazo. Existem alguns modelos que explicam o efeito do uso de drogas, mas são poucos ou de difícil acesso os modelos que explicam a recuperação do uso de drogas. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi propor um metamodelo explicativo das relações sistêmicas entre os indivíduos em grupos de ajuda-mútua de Narcóticos Anônimos (NA) no processo de recuperação do uso de drogas com olhar a partir da complexidade e da multirreferencialidade usando instrumentos da Dinâmica dos Grupos, Psicologia Cognitiva, Redes Sociais e Redes Semânticas de Discursos Orais. É uma pesquisa aplicada de abordagem quali-quantitativa com objetivo descritivo evoluindo a propositivo, que utiliza o estudo de caso único com múltiplas unidades de análise. O lócus englobou os grupos de NA da cidade de Salvador-BA, seus documentos, registros, literatura, e a experiência dos membros. Coletou-se dados diretos de 123 pessoas através de questionários, bem como por meio de observação participante. Foram citados 286 membros de NA. A análise dos dados encontrados nos documentos oficiais de NA indica que seus membros começam a se drogar na média de idade entre 10 e 15 anos. Depois de uma média de uso por 20 anos, ingressam em NA e, aos poucos, vão se adaptando a uma nova ecologia cultural. O grupo de NA adota normas e padrões que, de maneira informal, vão sendo compartilhados pela maioria dos membros. O elemento central é a apresentação de um metamodelo sistêmico acerca do processo de recuperação. Concluiu-se que a rede social estudada tem indícios de características topológicas do tipo livre de escala com os “hubs” exercendo papel importante na difusão de novos conhecimentos e comportamentos que comporão mudanças significativas de atitudes nos novos membros tendo como resultado melhorias importantes nas áreas de qualidade de vida. / ABSTRACT The use of psychoactive substances has its origin when the man, already in society, takes advantage of natural resources to adapt to the difficulties of the environment in which he lived. Continued use can trigger addiction, the term here used as the repetitive use of a substance with harmful long-term consequences. There are some models that explain the effect of drug use, but there are few or difficult models to explain the recovery of drug use. The aim of this research was to propose an explanatory metamodel of the systemic relationships between individuals in the Narcotics Anonymous (NA) mutual help groups in the drug recovery process with a view of complexity and multi-referentiality using Group Dynamics, Cognitive Psychology, Social Networks and Semantic Networks of Oral Discourses. It is an applied research of qualitative-quantitative approach with descriptive objective evolving to propositive, that uses the single case study with multiple units of analysis. The locus encompassed the NA groups of the city of Salvador-BA, its documents, records, literature, and members' experience. Direct data of 123 people were collected through questionnaires, as well as through participant observation. Were cited 286 NA members. Analysis of the data found in the official NA documents indicates that their members begin to get high on the average age between 10 and 15 years. After an average use for 20 years, they enter NA and gradually adapt to a new cultural ecology. The NA group adopts norms and standards that, informally, are shared by most members. The central element is the presentation of a systemic metamodel about the recovery process. It was concluded that the studied social network has indications of topological characteristics of the free-of-scale type with the hubs playing an important role in the diffusion of new knowledge and behaviors that will make significant changes of attitudes in the new members, resulting in important improvements in the areas of quality of life.

No description available.

O objetivo deste estudo foi o de acompanhar os caminhos de um serviço em Hospitais e Instituições (HI) da Irmandade de Narcóticos Anônimos (NA) na cidade de Porto Alegre, estado do Rio Grande do Sul (RS), a partir, principalmente, de uma interlocutora principal de pesquisa, membro da NA, e de uma longa experiência de campo da pesquisadora. Trata-se do serviço de “transmissão da mensagem” que ocorre na Penitenciária Feminina Madre Pelletier, em que mulheres membros da NA se deslocam até a Penitenciária para “levar a mensagem de recuperação da Narcóticos Anônimos”, às reclusas. Esse serviço ocorre na Instituição Penitenciária sob o formato de painéis, nos quais estão presentes participantes da NA e mulheres reclusas. Nessas ocasiões, ocorre a “partilha” sobre a “recuperação”, e, para a sua realização, são necessários preparações, treinamentos e movimentações que envolvem tanto a Penitenciária quanto a Irmandade. Para acompanhar os caminhos da “transmissão da mensagem” realizei pesquisa de campo de orientação etnográfica na Irmandade de NA e na Penitenciária. Na Irmandade frequentei reuniões abertas de um grupo da Narcóticos Anônimos existente em Porto Alegre, reuniões de serviço do Subcomitê de Relações Públicas, celebrações e eventos de grupos, realizei entrevistas com homens e mulheres participantes da NA, e, em especial, com a interlocutora principal de pesquisa. Na Penitenciária acompanhei, no ano de 2015, encontros de painéis, realizei entrevistas com agentes penitenciárias, assistente social, e mantive conversas com funcionários da direção. Os resultados desse trabalho indicam que os “caminhos da transmissão da mensagem”, ao perpassarem o ambiente da Penitenciária e durante os painéis - ocasiões conjuntas com as reclusas e outras participantes da Irmandade -, adquirem um significado específico para a interlocutora de pesquisa em sua “recuperação”, pois mobilizam seu passado, presente, “ativa” e “recuperação”. / The objective of this study was to follow the paths of a service in Hospitals and Institutions (HI) of the Fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous (NA) in Porto Alegre, state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), based mainly on a main speaker of research, member of the NA, and a long researcher's field experience. This is the service "message transmission" that occurs in the Women's Penitentiary Madre Pelletier, in which women members of NA moving to the Penitentiary to "carry the message of recovery in Narcotics Anonymous" the inmates. This service is the Penitentiary Institution under the panels format in which they are participants from NA and women prisoners. On these occasions, is "sharing" on the "recovery", and for its implementation, preparations are needed, training and transactions involving both Penitentiary as the Fellowship. To follow the path of "carrying the message" I conducted ethnographic orientation of field research in the NA Fellowship and Prison. Fellowship attended open meetings of an existing Narcotics Anonymous group in Porto Alegre, service meetings of the Subcommittee on Public Relations, celebrations and events groups, conducted interviews with participants men and women of NA, and in particular with the main interlocutor of research. In Penitentiary I followed, in 2015, panel meetings, conducted interviews with prison officers, social workers, and held talks with officials of direction. The results of this study indicate that the "message transmission paths", the permeates the environment of Penitentiary and during the panel - joint occasions with inmates and other participants of the Fellowship - acquire a specific meaning to the speaker of research in their "recovery" for mobilizing their past, present, "active" and "recovery".

O objetivo deste estudo foi o de acompanhar os caminhos de um serviço em Hospitais e Instituições (HI) da Irmandade de Narcóticos Anônimos (NA) na cidade de Porto Alegre, estado do Rio Grande do Sul (RS), a partir, principalmente, de uma interlocutora principal de pesquisa, membro da NA, e de uma longa experiência de campo da pesquisadora. Trata-se do serviço de “transmissão da mensagem” que ocorre na Penitenciária Feminina Madre Pelletier, em que mulheres membros da NA se deslocam até a Penitenciária para “levar a mensagem de recuperação da Narcóticos Anônimos”, às reclusas. Esse serviço ocorre na Instituição Penitenciária sob o formato de painéis, nos quais estão presentes participantes da NA e mulheres reclusas. Nessas ocasiões, ocorre a “partilha” sobre a “recuperação”, e, para a sua realização, são necessários preparações, treinamentos e movimentações que envolvem tanto a Penitenciária quanto a Irmandade. Para acompanhar os caminhos da “transmissão da mensagem” realizei pesquisa de campo de orientação etnográfica na Irmandade de NA e na Penitenciária. Na Irmandade frequentei reuniões abertas de um grupo da Narcóticos Anônimos existente em Porto Alegre, reuniões de serviço do Subcomitê de Relações Públicas, celebrações e eventos de grupos, realizei entrevistas com homens e mulheres participantes da NA, e, em especial, com a interlocutora principal de pesquisa. Na Penitenciária acompanhei, no ano de 2015, encontros de painéis, realizei entrevistas com agentes penitenciárias, assistente social, e mantive conversas com funcionários da direção. Os resultados desse trabalho indicam que os “caminhos da transmissão da mensagem”, ao perpassarem o ambiente da Penitenciária e durante os painéis - ocasiões conjuntas com as reclusas e outras participantes da Irmandade -, adquirem um significado específico para a interlocutora de pesquisa em sua “recuperação”, pois mobilizam seu passado, presente, “ativa” e “recuperação”. / The objective of this study was to follow the paths of a service in Hospitals and Institutions (HI) of the Fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous (NA) in Porto Alegre, state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), based mainly on a main speaker of research, member of the NA, and a long researcher's field experience. This is the service "message transmission" that occurs in the Women's Penitentiary Madre Pelletier, in which women members of NA moving to the Penitentiary to "carry the message of recovery in Narcotics Anonymous" the inmates. This service is the Penitentiary Institution under the panels format in which they are participants from NA and women prisoners. On these occasions, is "sharing" on the "recovery", and for its implementation, preparations are needed, training and transactions involving both Penitentiary as the Fellowship. To follow the path of "carrying the message" I conducted ethnographic orientation of field research in the NA Fellowship and Prison. Fellowship attended open meetings of an existing Narcotics Anonymous group in Porto Alegre, service meetings of the Subcommittee on Public Relations, celebrations and events groups, conducted interviews with participants men and women of NA, and in particular with the main interlocutor of research. In Penitentiary I followed, in 2015, panel meetings, conducted interviews with prison officers, social workers, and held talks with officials of direction. The results of this study indicate that the "message transmission paths", the permeates the environment of Penitentiary and during the panel - joint occasions with inmates and other participants of the Fellowship - acquire a specific meaning to the speaker of research in their "recovery" for mobilizing their past, present, "active" and "recovery".

O objetivo deste estudo foi o de acompanhar os caminhos de um serviço em Hospitais e Instituições (HI) da Irmandade de Narcóticos Anônimos (NA) na cidade de Porto Alegre, estado do Rio Grande do Sul (RS), a partir, principalmente, de uma interlocutora principal de pesquisa, membro da NA, e de uma longa experiência de campo da pesquisadora. Trata-se do serviço de “transmissão da mensagem” que ocorre na Penitenciária Feminina Madre Pelletier, em que mulheres membros da NA se deslocam até a Penitenciária para “levar a mensagem de recuperação da Narcóticos Anônimos”, às reclusas. Esse serviço ocorre na Instituição Penitenciária sob o formato de painéis, nos quais estão presentes participantes da NA e mulheres reclusas. Nessas ocasiões, ocorre a “partilha” sobre a “recuperação”, e, para a sua realização, são necessários preparações, treinamentos e movimentações que envolvem tanto a Penitenciária quanto a Irmandade. Para acompanhar os caminhos da “transmissão da mensagem” realizei pesquisa de campo de orientação etnográfica na Irmandade de NA e na Penitenciária. Na Irmandade frequentei reuniões abertas de um grupo da Narcóticos Anônimos existente em Porto Alegre, reuniões de serviço do Subcomitê de Relações Públicas, celebrações e eventos de grupos, realizei entrevistas com homens e mulheres participantes da NA, e, em especial, com a interlocutora principal de pesquisa. Na Penitenciária acompanhei, no ano de 2015, encontros de painéis, realizei entrevistas com agentes penitenciárias, assistente social, e mantive conversas com funcionários da direção. Os resultados desse trabalho indicam que os “caminhos da transmissão da mensagem”, ao perpassarem o ambiente da Penitenciária e durante os painéis - ocasiões conjuntas com as reclusas e outras participantes da Irmandade -, adquirem um significado específico para a interlocutora de pesquisa em sua “recuperação”, pois mobilizam seu passado, presente, “ativa” e “recuperação”. / The objective of this study was to follow the paths of a service in Hospitals and Institutions (HI) of the Fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous (NA) in Porto Alegre, state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), based mainly on a main speaker of research, member of the NA, and a long researcher's field experience. This is the service "message transmission" that occurs in the Women's Penitentiary Madre Pelletier, in which women members of NA moving to the Penitentiary to "carry the message of recovery in Narcotics Anonymous" the inmates. This service is the Penitentiary Institution under the panels format in which they are participants from NA and women prisoners. On these occasions, is "sharing" on the "recovery", and for its implementation, preparations are needed, training and transactions involving both Penitentiary as the Fellowship. To follow the path of "carrying the message" I conducted ethnographic orientation of field research in the NA Fellowship and Prison. Fellowship attended open meetings of an existing Narcotics Anonymous group in Porto Alegre, service meetings of the Subcommittee on Public Relations, celebrations and events groups, conducted interviews with participants men and women of NA, and in particular with the main interlocutor of research. In Penitentiary I followed, in 2015, panel meetings, conducted interviews with prison officers, social workers, and held talks with officials of direction. The results of this study indicate that the "message transmission paths", the permeates the environment of Penitentiary and during the panel - joint occasions with inmates and other participants of the Fellowship - acquire a specific meaning to the speaker of research in their "recovery" for mobilizing their past, present, "active" and "recovery".

No description available.