Abstract

The purpose of this study was to understand the essence of addiction and the meaning for addiction through the eyes of the individuals who are defined by themselves and by society as addicted. In contrast to defining the essential features of addiction, participants also offered an understanding of the features required to live in recovery.

Participants of this study participated in taped interviews to describe their personal experiences of addiction. The study focused on individuals who had failed inpatient treatment and who had experienced some period of recovery, defined as total abstinence from substances, but had re-engaged in the use of mood-altering substances. Relapses into the use of mood-altering substances resulted in negative consequences such as personal losses of relationships, financial losses, incarceration and/or need for treatment. Nine interviews were conducted with individuals who were willing to participate in the study through its completion.

The results of the study describe the essence of addiction. The essential elements emerged after the data were reduced using two complementary forms of analysis. A themes list was developed to represent the essential elements that illuminated the participants' experiences of addiction and recovery.

This study concluded with an overview of an addiction model based on the location of the essential elements in relation to participants' self-awareness. The decision to continue addiction or to pursue recovery was influenced by nine essential themes. The focus of the pros and cons of addiction, within treatment settings, may have implications for future research. Implications for educational practice were also discussed.