Addictions and Recovery: A qualitative study on a sample of recovering drug-users in Atlantic Canada Presented By: Jenn Fredericks

Theoretical framework Implications and conclusion Overview Rationale Theoretical framework Methodology Findings Implications and conclusion

This information poses a serious and grim problem in the city today Rationale The use of illicit drugs in Canada is around 10% of the population (Canadian Alcohol and Drugs Use Monitoring Survey, 2012) 20, 000 people out of a population of approximately 137, 346 people This information poses a serious and grim problem in the city today

This study is about… 14 recovering drug addicts Drugs used were marijuana, cocaine, narcotics and synthetic opiates, LSD and hallucinogens & prescription drugs or opioids Themes covered were the early life events, onset of drugs, the addiction process and treatment, recovery and/or relapse procedures

Theoretical Framework Traditional models The gateway hypothesis Incentive-sensitization theory Social psychological theories

Traditional Models Social/environmental Genetic/physiological Personality/intrapsychic Coping/learning Conditioning/reinforcement behavioral Integrative biopsychosocial model Transtheoretical model of change

Gateway Hypothesis States that marijuana is the gateway drug that more-or-less leads to drug-use Generally speaking, alcohol and cigarettes preceded marijuana use and marijuana use preceded the use of other illicit drugs

Incentive-sensitization theory Irrational drug-use is the result of hypersensitivity of neural systems induced by occasional drug use Repeated drug use sensitizes the neural systems and the process turns to ‘wanting’ but not ‘liking’

Social Psychological Theories Stress the relationship between personality and interpersonal relations in drug-taking behaviour

Ethical review process Informed consent forms Methodology Ethical review process Sample (14; 7 men & 7 women) Interviews Confidentiality Informed consent forms

The addiction experience Treatment/recovery/relapse process Findings Stressful life events The onset of addiction The addiction experience Treatment/recovery/relapse process

Stressful Life Events All 14 stated that they experienced stressful life events Rough childhood Parents were alcoholics Peer pressure Curiosity Boredom

Quotes… My childhood sucked...I was bounced around a lot. I did not have a good family home. I remember being put in foster homes at a young age....there were a lot of them. I remember it did not last long at any of them....no one wanted me! I was in jail at the age of 12 and it just seemed like that was where I was supposed to be! I did not have to worry about anything there...I had a roof over my head and 3 meals a day. I do not think the system could handle me or even knew what to do with me." (M-4) My father is an alcoholic. When I was a child he would smell so bad like beer. I thought that is what cologne smelled like cause it was normal. (F-4)

The onset of addiction A pioneering finding in this study 12 participants started using drugs between the ages of 8-14 years A pioneering finding in this study Statistics Canada’s (2013) data is that onset is between 15-24 years Initial drug of choice was marijuana – consistent with gateway hypothesis

Quotes… I was between 8-9....I started smoking weed and hash. (M-4) I was 10 years old....It was offered to me one day. My friends were a few years older and they were smoking weed. I wanted to be like them so I tried it. (M-6) It was my 13th birthday and I did acid. That was the first drug ever tried. Acid was a really big thing when I was that age...then I started smoking pot when I was 14. (F-2) I was 10....it was everywhere in out subdivision. (M-2)

The addiction process Far from ideal A nightmare & hellish A lonely experience Depraved lives Low self-esteem Feelings of Worthlessness

Quotes… I was an addict, and didn't know it. The only time I felt normal was when I was high. (M-4) Drugs consumed my life. I was a prostitute, I would sell drugs to get drugs.....(F-2) My life was hell...I lost everything that mattered to me. I was a ticking time bomb....just waiting to go off. I did eventually. I had no one...my nanny passed away, my mom was no better than I was...I lost my children and I was in jail. I did not think about what was going on in my life. My addiction took over and controlled every aspect of my life. (F-6) I was so alone and had no one. Have you ever had that feeling where you were just so alone and had no one to turn too? That is how I felt all my life. (F-1)

Treatment/Recovery/Relapse All 14 participants were in the recovery process Most were in the Methadone Treatment Program Others in Alcoholics Anonymous and/or Narcotics Anonymous Some had relapsed and recovered An on-going struggle

Quotes… I knew all along I needed help, I was just not ready to take that step. It terrified me to admit I had a problem. (F-6) Ohhhh...a lot of times I needed help but did not act on it. I knew I had to get help or I was going to die. I was flying home to see my parents for the holidays. They have not seen me in a long time. I was at the airport, they had no idea it was me. They walked right by me. I knew then. (M-7) I was really lost. I could not find me bearings, I was delirious. I called my dad, I knew I needed help but how could I admit I was lost. (F-4)

What Helped Them… I went to detox like 5 times…but then the last time I went like three years ago now I got on the methadone program. (M-7) Really go to groups at the Methadone Clinic. (F-2) I went to NA and AA meetings; I went to church a lot. (M-6) I have support through the Methadone Program. (F-2) I tried detox many times. It is not a treatment plan. It cleans you out....that is it. I went there for about 2 weeks and then I got on the Methadone Program. (M-3)  

Implications & Conclusion 1. Early onset of drugs between 8-14 2. Long-term care necessary for recovering addicts These 2 implications make this study GROUND-BREAKING AND PIONEERING

T he End Thank You Questions ?