Narratives about the process of recovering from addiction: the perspective of family members attending care services

Ariagor Manuel Almanza-Avendaño; Anel Hortensia Gómez-San Luis

doi:10.18294/sc.2020.2523

Narratives about the process of recovering from addiction: the perspective of family members attending care services

Ariagor Manuel Almanza-Avendaño PhD in Psychology. Professor-Researcher, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali, Mexico. , Anel Hortensia Gómez-San Luis PhD in Psychology. Professor-Researcher, Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, Mexicali, Mexico.

Received: 1 September 2019, Accepted: 14 April 2020, Published: 19 May 2020

https://doi.org/10.18294/sc.2020.2523 | PMID: 32574454

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Abstract

Addiction treatment services usually prioritize the recovery of the user, despite the fact that problematic consumption often leads to distress among families that requires attention. The purpose of this study is to identify types of narratives constructed by relatives of people with substance dependence disorders regarding their condition and recovery process. Additionally, we seek to understand the conditions that facilitate or hinder the recovery process from the perspective of family members. Seven in-depth interviews were conducted with a narrative approach. Progressive, stable, and regressive narratives were identified, corresponding to various stages in the addiction and recovery processes. These narratives revealed different forms of distress, obstacles to treatment, and critical junctures with respect to attending care services. Families represent a valuable resource for user recovery, and therefore must be included in the treatment process.

Keywords: Personal Narrative, Mental Health Recovery, Substance-Related Disorders, Family Relationships, Mexico

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