Abstract:
A body of research has suggested that an understanding of the lived experience of
addicted individuals is an important yet neglected part of developing effective treatments
for addictions. In an attempt to further understand the subjective experience of addiction,
a phenomenological study was undertaken with the aim of understanding if
consciousness studies could inform and enrich current treatments for addiction.
Specifically, the study examined the utility of conceptualizing an addiction as a problem
of restricted consciousness and its treatment as a process of consciousness expansion.
This study attempted to further understanding related to changes in consciousness, and
the development of the self-concept, that occur as a person moves towards recovery. In
particular, it attempted to identify those experiences, or shared characteristics of different
experiences, that precipitated movements to expanded forms of consciousness and more
integrated self-concepts. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six individuals
who purported to have an addiction to alcohol. The results were analyzed using the
methods of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. As well as providing insight into
the lived experience of addiction, an argument for the utility of introducing consciousness
development into the treatment of an addiction to alcohol is presented.
Description:
A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology, University of Regina. vi, 164 p.