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    Discovering cessation strategies used successfully by individuals who are in recovery from methamphetamine addiction : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Psychology at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2019) Gordon, Yvonne
    Methamphetamine (MA) misuse is a recognized health issue in New Zealand, and there is a lack of appropriate treatment available for individuals who are methamphetamine dependent. This research sought to gain insight from individuals in New Zealand who have experienced MA dependence and now identify as being in recovery, to discover which strategies, approaches or treatment appeared helpful in their recovery. The participants in the research were seven adults who had abstained from methamphetamine for six months or more. Hermeneutical Phenomenological research was conducted through in-depth interviews, which were audiotaped and transcribed before being analysed. The data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis, which has its theoretical origins in phenomenology and hermeneutics. Four themes emerged to describe the lived experience of recovery from methamphetamine misuse: Getting Away, Support, Personal Sources of Strength, and Treatment. Each theme held importance in the participant's recovery from MA and provided insight into their journey in abstaining and being in recovery. This research should provide valuable information for further research to be conducted on this important health issue. The findings may also be used to assist others who want to enter recovery but do not know how, or what may help them.
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    What works in recovery? Alcohol and other drug professionals lived experiences of addiction, treatment and recovery in New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Social Work at Massey University, Manawatū, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2018) Jowett, Rachel Victoria
    The New Zealand Government’s health surveys consistently identify that alcohol and other drug (AOD) addiction is an issue for New Zealanders. However, there is a lack of qualitative research on the lived experiences of people who have previously or currently experience AOD addiction in New Zealand. This research provides insight into the factors that contribute to, and create barriers to, successful AOD addiction recovery. The qualitative method of constructivism was the approach used to conduct the research. Eight participants took part in semistructured interviews, sharing their stories in a narrative style and recounting experiences from the time their addictions began, their entry into AOD addiction recovery and their entry into the AOD workforce. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis, themes were identified that highlighted what contributed to participant’s successful AOD addiction recovery and what created barriers to AOD addiction recovery. Nine themes emerged through the data analysis process these were: stigma; defining your own recovery; reconstruction of the self; the role of social learning; opportunities for career progression; specific populations including youth, people with co-existing mental health and AOD addiction issues, women, and families; strengths and limitations of the health, social service and AOD workforce; addiction and the law; and barriers to accessing AOD support services. A consistent finding across these nine themes was that the barriers to AOD addiction recovery in New Zealand experienced by the research participants were systemic, and preventable. The recommendations of this thesis are that the barriers to recovery, and contributors to successful recovery identified in this research are addressed; in particular the themes of stigma and systemic barriers to wellbeing.
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    Evaluation of the relationship between lifestyle balance, emotional regulation, and relapse with individuals with drug and/or alcohol problems : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science in Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2013) Dicks, Casey William
    Drug and alcohol abuse costs the country over $5.3 billion per year (Slack, Nana, Webster, Stokes, & Wu, 2009). Treatment can reduce both the health and social cost of drug and alcohol abuse (Rout, 2008) but relapse remains a major problem (Stewart, 2000). Studies have shown lifestyle balance and emotion regulation are important factors in relapse prevention (Thakker & Ward, 2012; Matto, Strolin & Mogro-Wilson, 2008). This study explored the relationship between lifestyle balance, emotion regulation and relapse with 25 participants, aged between 18 and 55, actively seeking treatment through CADS North Action group. Participants reported their subjective lifestyle balance, emotion regulation, and whether they had relapsed, at three time periods (pre-, mid-, and post-treatment). Relapse rates were 56% at pre-, 42% at mid-, and 25% at post-treatment. Results indicate a positive relationship between lifestyle balance and relapse, which suggests that as lifestyle balance improves relapse decreases. Results also indicate that, as emotion regulation improves relapse decreases. A newly developed lifestyle balance questionnaire (LBQ) showed good psychometric properties, which were comparable with existing measures. This study addresses a gap in the literature on the relationship between lifestyle balance, emotion regulation and relapse, in a drug and alcohol population, and seems to be the first of its kind in New Zealand. Limitations of the research and future directions are discussed.
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    You don't know what it's like : the lived experience of drug dependence : a thesis presented in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2002) Williams, Margaret A. Adams
    This phenomenological study describes the lived experience of drug dependence and relates the understanding gained from this description to drug dependence practice. The participants in this study were 25 adults who had a recognized dependence on one or more psychoactive drugs as identified by the DSM IV criteria of substance dependence. Over a period of eight months the participants were interviewed about their lived experience of drug dependence and the effects of drug dependence on their everyday lives. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed into text They were then analyzed and interpreted hermeneutically against a background of Heideggerian philosophy. Drawing upon Heideggerian concepts with great relevance to this study, three related themes emerged to describe the lived experience of drug dependence: Becoming and being drug dependent - the journey; Being with others; and Being with care. These themes point to the nature of drug dependence and the extent to which the experience affects the whole of the participants' Being-in-the-world. Drug dependence was viewed as a powerful life experience that can be likened to a journey, one that the participants would go to any lengths just to carry on with. The longer they stayed on the journey the more drug dependence affected their whole Being-in-the-world in terms of feeling and being different, both physically and psychically. Through being drug dependent the participants were found to inhabit two worlds, a We world and a Them world. In both worlds the participants found themselves alongside others with whom they related. Such relationships were found to be significant in that not only did being with others impact upon the participants' drug dependence, the participants' drug dependence also impacted upon their being with others. Through their choices and actions each of the participants revealed what mattered to them, that which they were concerned with, and cared for. Encompassed within that which they care for, their Being with care, is the stand each is taking on their own Being in the world, their choice of self, and the meaning they give to their existence. For the participants, the experiential sharing of their lived experience of drug dependence not only enabled them to reflect on their own Being and to find meaning in their lives, but also to provide important insights into the lived experience of drug dependence for all those, including health care professionals, who interact with drug dependent people. Also illustrated in this study is the importance of acknowledging drug dependent persons as valuable human beings and of understanding their needs for the provision of effective care in drug dependence practice. Finally, the use of a hermeneutic data analysis approach has shown the relevance of this method for the unfoldment of new understandings of the human experience of drug dependence.