Transformations: Treatment for Alcohol Addiction as a Process of Consciousness Expansion

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.