An exploration of the experience of those in non-abstinent based recovery in Ireland

Background/ Aim: My research examines the experience of those in non-abstinent based recovery. To date in Ireland the term recovery from alcohol and drugs has been primarily reserved for those who are totally abstinent. Recently, stemming from the peer -led recovery movement, there has been a paradigm shift that recovery is more about a quality of life, if that includes medicated assisted recovery, or once having an issue with drugs and alcohol and now no longer having one, that this is acceptable too. This shift has propelled the notion that recovery is defined by the individual and their perceived quality of life. The proposed research will explore the experiences of those in non-abstinent recovery in Irish Society.

Methods/ Design: Using principles of action research, participants will be viewed as experts in their experiences of non-abstinent based recovery. A semi-structured in-depth interview, using grounded theory principles with a qualitative method has been deemed most appropriate data collection method. There is a limited amount of research on those in recovery and even less on those in non-abstinent based recovery. The study includes up to fourteen participants.

Proposed Findings: Its envisaged that the research will find elements of stigma attached to the recovery pathway of this research group. That they experience their recovery is not as stable or worthy as those who are non-abstinent .

Discussion: It’s hoped the study will broaden people’s views on recovery, empower others to say they are in recovery even if not totally abstinence, and challenge the belief that total abstinence is required to be in recovery.