Occupational Lives in Sustained Recovery From Alcohol Dependency: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis

Abstract

Alcohol use is a significant risk factor for ill health. Although many people complete treatment, only one third maintain their sobriety. Research has suggested that occupational engagement supports early recovery, but its role in sustained recovery is not known. This study aimed to explore the occupational lives of individuals in sustained recovery from alcohol dependency. An interpretive phenomenological analysis methodology was used, utilizing an occupational perspective. Participants were recruited from a substance use recovery center. Data were collected through interviews and analyzed thematically. This study had three participants. Four themes emerged: (a) shaping occupational lives, (b) shifting coping strategies, (c) finding a gateway to new social connections and a sense of belonging, and (d) establishing a new role in the context of recovery. Findings suggest that in sustained recovery, occupations develop new meanings and purposes that have the potential to support recovery.

The Career Trajectories and Outcomes in Substance Use Recovery: A Scoping Review

“…All 33 studies surveyed adults (≥18 years of age). One study sampled only young adults (aged 18–24; Dawson et al, 2006), and one study sampled only older adults (aged 47–52; Vegeris & Brooks, 2022), while the other 31 sampled individuals from young adulthood (≥18 years of age) to older adulthood, up to age 80 as reported in one study (Drury et al, 2003). Four studies sampled only women (Campagna et al, 2015; Gorvine et al, 2021; Sinakhone et al, 2017; Suiter & Wilfong, 2021), and two studies sampled only men (Hunter & Jason, 2021; Nhunzvi et al, 2019).…”

“…Reasons explaining why employment was cited as important composed of having the ability to help provide structure and return to a “normal” life pattern (Cebulla et al, 2004), as well as offering an outlet to fill time (Sinakhone et al, 2017), while having the opportunity to establish new roles (Dawson et al, 2006; Vegeris & Brooks, 2022). Dawson et al (2006) found that employment was a transitional life event in recovery, and that those who initiate recovery within three years of their first full-time employment are more likely to remain in recovery.…”

“…A summary of included studies with country of origin, sample size and description, aim of the study, time in recovery, and career-related trajectories and outcomes of the sample is provided in Table 1. -Diani, 2000;Best et al, 2010;Cebulla et al, 2004;Dawson et al, 2006;Hunter & Jason, 2021;Irish et al, 2020;Laudet & White, 2010;Nhunzvi et al, 2019;Sinakhone et al, 2017;Vegeris & Brooks, 2022;Veseth et al, 2022). Some studies reported that participants felt a sense of urgency to find a job (Alpert-Diani, 2000), while others reported obtaining employment was a high priority (Laudet & White, 2010;Sinakhone et al, 2017).…”

Career counseling as relapse prevention: A theoretical look at social cognitive career theory in supporting recovery from substance use

“…Individuals in recovery often report that the most important reasons for starting their recovery journey are a desire to improve their quality of life, health, relationships, employment, and financial situations (Laudet & White, 2010; McQuaid et al., 2017; Veseth et al., 2022). Interviews with individuals in recovery have found that work plays a central role to the recovery process, including supportive work environments, as well as the importance of repairing the bridge to community involvement (Stokes et al., 2018; Vegeris & Brooks, 2022; Veseth et al., 2022). These results highlight the improvements that occur in the lives of those who attempt and succeed in sustaining recovery, and specifically the impact of an SUD on employment during active use and in recovery.…”

“…Unemployment is strongly associated with problematic substance use (Compton et al., 2014), while employment is associated with successful treatment completion (Melvin et al., 2012; Richardson & Epp, 2016) and is a critical life event that changes substance use and criminal trajectories (Huang et al., 2011; Laudet & White, 2010). Employment also provides clients with the financial resources necessary to make lasting positive changes in their lives and gives them a sense of having a valued and respected role in society (Laudet & White, 2010; Vegeris & Brooks, 2022). Further, gainful employment is the strongest and most consistent predictor of remaining substance‐free after treatment, predicting periods of abstinence and reductions in use in longitudinal follow‐up studies (Martinson et al., 2021; Melvin et al., 2012; Nosyk et al., 2013; West, 2008).…”