Irving, A.D. (2011) Life Story Narratives of Recovery from Dependent Drug and Alcohol Use: A Tool for Identity Reconstruction Within a Therapeutic Community. Therapeutic Communities: the International Journal of Therapeutic Communities, 32 (3). 182 - 200. ISSN 0964-1866
Abstract
ABSTRACT: A narrative approach within criminology, sociology and psychology has been taken to understand various trauma experiences. In accordance with Bruner (1990) and Giddens (1991) narrative is seen as the prime agent in identity formation. The ‘fractured’ narratives of dependent drug and alcohol users are seen to constitute a ‘spoiled identity’. The present paper focuses on how life stories may be used as a tool for identity reconstruction within a therapeutic community (TC) treatment environment. Analysis of three individual life stories of recovering drug/alcoholdependent users together with follow-up interviews illustrates certain emergent common themes. The paper argues that accounts of the process of writing and exploring a life story provide evidence of three observable means of identity reconstruction: through selection and editing life story content, a heightened awareness of life story events, and by renegotiating power and control issues in the recovery process. The paper concludes by advocating the use of a life story interview within the core TC treatment method as a means of promoting and reflecting on identity change.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Editors: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2011 The Author(s). This is an author produced version of a paper subsequently published in Therapeutic Communities: the International Journal of Therapeutic Communities. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | Recovery; Substance dependence; Narratives; Identity. |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health (Sheffield) > School of Health and Related Research (Sheffield) > ScHARR - Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 16 Jun 2015 14:59 |
Last Modified: | 05 Jan 2017 19:42 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Association of Therapeutic Communities |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:86933 |