A narrative inquiry into the experiences of recovering drug addicts by Fatima Kurtha A mini-dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree MA Counselling Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA FACULTY OF HUMANITIES SUPERVISOR: Mr Werner Human CO-SUPERVISOR: Prof Terri Bakker November 2017 ii DECLARATION I, Fatima Kurtha, hereby declare that this dissertation, which I hereby submit for the degree MA: Counselling Psychology at the University of Pretoria, is my own work and has not previously been submitted by me for a degree at this or any other tertiary institution. Where secondary material is used, this has been carefully acknowledged and referenced in accordance with university requirements. ____________________ ____________________ Fatima Kurtha Date iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. All praise be to God, for this endeavour would not have been realised were it not for Him. In the words of Imtiaaz Sooliman, founder of Gift of the Givers foundation: “Whatever you do is done through you and not by you. Achievement is only through the grace of God Almighty.” To my supervisors, Werner and Prof. Bakker, thank you for being my mentors’ throughout this journey. Your wisdom and academic expertise have been invaluable. I could not have been able to complete this journey without the love and support of my family, whose love and patience remained unconditional and unfaltering: Thank you to my parents, Abdul Kader and Salma, for believing in me even when my own confidence faltered. You have been a constant anchor of love, faith, and strength in my life - God has truly favoured me; To my husband, Shaheen, my partner in life and love, thank you for walking this journey with me. Your love, patience, and encouragement are treasured; To my siblings, Rishad and Maryam, thank you for being my source of inspiration and joy along life’s journey; To my late grandmother, Constance, a graceful model of perseverance and faith, this dissertation is dedicated to you; To my wonderful friend Kal, thank you for being my companion and light along this journey. To Doc, the founder of the rehabilitation centre, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to carry out this research. You are truly changing lives. To my esteemed colleagues, thank you for your support and encouragement. A special thanks to Gift, Lynne, and Yolande. To the participants, without whom this research endeavour would not have materialised, I thank you for your courage and altruism. I entered the field of psychology with the hope of being an agent of change in uplifting the lives of others. I iv have learnt that change is in fact, bi-directional. You have certainly impacted me, and made my commitment to this field all the more meaningful. Thank you for sharing your time and your stories with me. v TABLE OF CONTENTS PLAGIARISM DECLARATION……………………………………………………………..ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS……………………………………………………………………iii TABLE OF CONTENTS……………………………………………………………………..v LIST OF TABLES…………………………………………………………………………..viii LIST OF FIGURES………………………………………………………………………….ix ABSTRACT…………………………………………………………………………………..x CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………..1 1.1 Research Question……………………………………………………………………1 1.2 Aims and objectives of the study……………………………………………………..2 1.3 Structure of the study………………………………………………………………….2 CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK…………………………………..…………………………….....................4 2.1 Theoretical point of departure…...…………………………………………………...5 2.1.1 A postmodern epistemological lens………………………………………….5 2.1.2 Social constructionism………...……………………………………………...5 2.1.3 Theoretical application of epistemology to the present study..................6 2.2 Contextualising drug consumption in South Africa………………………………..8 2.3 Exploring the concepts of addiction and recovery………………………………....9 2.4 Narratives and recovery………………………………….……….…………………13 2.5 Meaning-making through narration………………………………………………...17 2.6 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………19 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY...………………………………………………...20 3.1 Research design……….…………………………………………………………….21 3.2 The basic tenets of narrative inquiry…...…………………………………………..22 3.3 Research Methodology……….……………………………………………………..23 3.3.1 Sampling……………………………………………………………………...23 vi 3.3.2 Research context…………………………………………………………….25 3.3.3 Method of data collection……………………………………………………26 3.4 Data analysis…………………………………………………………….…………...27 3.4.1 Narrative-thematic analysis…………………………………………………28 3.5 Quality enhancement of qualitative research.....................................................30 3.6 Ethical considerations……………………………………………………………….33 3.7 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………35 CHAPTER FOUR: DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS……………………………………….36 4.1 The participants…………………...…………………………………………………36 4.2 Findings from the analysis…………………………………………………………..37 4.2.1 Transformative relationship with drugs…….………………………………39 4.2.2 Growth following stagnation………………..……………………………….42 4.2.2.1 Ibogaine – a catalyst in life restructuring…………………………44 4.2.3 Power and control…………………………………………...……………….46 4.2.3.1 Volition………….…………………………………………………..49 4.2.4 Reconstructing identity………………….…………………………………..50 4.2.4.1 Love……………….………………………………………………..51 4.2.4.2 Acceptance...………………………………………………………56 4.2.4.3 Forgiveness………..………………………………………………61 4.2.4.4 Role acquisition……………………………………………………64 4.2.5 Purposiveness…………………………………..…………………………...66 4.2.5.1 Faith……………….………………………………………………..67 4.2.5.2 Altruism……………………………………………………………..70 4.2.6 Support as recovery capital………………..………………………………..73 4.3 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………75 vii CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION……………………………………………...………....77 5.1 Reflecting on the study………………………………………………………………77 5.1.1 Personal reflexivity…………………………………………………………..78 5.1.2 Epistemological reflexivity…………………………………………………..80 5.1.3 Methodological reflexivity…………………………………………………...81 5.2 Concluding statements and recommendations for future research……………..83 REFERENCES……………………………………………………………………...……..86 Appendix A: Letter to rehabilitation centre and informed consent…….…………….104 Appendix B: Participant information leaflet and informed consent…….……………108 Appendix C: Autobiographical narratives………………………………………………112 Adam’s story…………………………………………………………………………….112 Estelle’s story…………………………………………………………………………...114 Miriam’s story…………………………………………………………………………...125 Appendix D: Interview transcriptions…………………………………………………...135 Interview Transcript: Adam……………………………………………………………135 Interview transcript: Estelle.…………………………………………………………...179 Interview transcript: Miriam……………………………………………………………254 viii LIST OF TABLES Table 1.1: Phases of Thematic Analysis……………………………..…….....………….29 ix LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1.1: Narrative thematic map showing main and sub-themes…………...………38 x ABSTRACT In an effort to gain more insight into the subjective experience of recovery, and provide a platform for their voices to be heard, this research endeavour focuses on the storied- experiences of recovering addicts as conveyed through life narratives. Through the process of narrative reconstruction, the study will elucidate shifts in meaning-making. The study employed a postmodern social constructionist epistemological lens. Three recovery addicts were recruited from an Ibogaine-assisted rehabilitation centre. Narrative inquiry methodologically navigated this study. A qualitative methodological design was employed. Data was collected using written autobiographical narratives, and semi-structured interviews. Data was analysed using narrative-thematic analysis, which gave rise to six main themes and eight sub-themes. Recovery involved a reconstruction of identity which was informed by shifts in meaning related to love, acceptance, forgiveness, and the acquisition of and identification with new roles. Shifts within their relationship with drugs and the meaning they attached to the accompanying lifestyle, appeared to be vital reinterpretations in their journey. Communal and familial support was identified as a key source of recovery capital. The narratives reflected growth and reparation following addictive stagnation and destruction. Ibogaine was identified as a vital catalyst in the reconstruction of their life narratives. A renegotiation of power and control also informed the transition from addict to recovering addict. Volitional-change was an important feature. Faith and altruism served as important facets in constructing a purposeful recovery narrative. The study allowed for new insights into the experience and meaning of recovery from drug addiction, conveyed through rich idiosyncratic accounts. KEY TERMS: Narratives; subjective experience; recovering addicts’ narratives of addiction and recovery; meaning-making; reconstruction; Ibogaine-assisted rehabilitation; postmodernism; social constructionism; narrative inquiry, qualitative research; narrative-thematic analysis. 1 Chapter 1 Introduction The stories we tell literally make the world. If you want to change the world, you need to change your story. This truth applies to both individuals and institutions. (Michael Margolis) A substantial amount of research into addictive behaviours is readily available (Walther, Morgenstern, & Hanewinkel, 2012; Webb, Michie, & Sniehotta 2010; West, 2006). The current store of research, however, is primarily quantitative and centred on clinical, theoretical, and economic notions and implications of drug abuse (Padayachee & Singh, 2003; Peltzer, Ramlagan, Johnson, & Phaswana-Mafuya, 2010; United Nations