"A Phenomenological Study Exploring the Lived Experiences of Former Adu" by Laurine Voltaire

Date

1-16-2025

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling (EdD)

Chair

Sharita Knobloch

Keywords

sobriety, recovery, substance abuse, CHIME-D, drug abstinence

Disciplines

Counseling | Education

Abstract

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to investigate the lived experiences of former adult drug users and their sobriety journeys after graduating from a variety of faith-based or spiritual drug and alcohol recovery programs. The research included a systematic review and narrative synthesis of existing literature on faith-based and spiritual recovery programs to address the gap concerning the lived experiences of former users and an evaluation of the strategies and techniques vital for facilitating recovery. The guiding theoretical framework CHIME-D delineated the essential definitive characteristics such as connectedness, hope, identity, meaning of life, empowerment, and overcoming difficulties that help support drug abstinence. The study sample was 16 male and female participants who had been sober for about 1 year. The data collection process incorporated dispensing surveys to collect various demographics and conducting semi-structured interviews. The analysis involved examining the implications of a seven-stage process. This process entailed examining the interview transcripts, condensing codes, identifying similarities and differences in the data, and establishing themes. This study included phenomenological reduction and bracketing to endorse validity and credibility. This study resulted in generating practical implications that diverse treatment programs can use to help promote drug abstinence. The results indicated that faith-based principles and CHIME-D components, particularly connectedness, hope, God and faith, and understanding personal triggers, have been instrumental in promoting long-term sobriety outcomes.

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