Table 3 Results pertaining to “What does recovery mean to you?”
Theme | N | Exemplar |
|---|---|---|
Abstinence | 38 | “the complete abstinence of all mind-altering substances” “clean, sober, doing what’s right. No medication, no nothing.” |
Recovery Capital | 20 | “I can think better. I got a steady job, I just bought me a place to live. I’ve got better ties with my family.” “clean and sober, with my family, able to maintain sobriety and hold down a job, pay bills and be trusted.” |
Actions | 18 | “going to meetings, and just putting one foot in front of the other and doing whatever I gotta do to stay sober” “but it’s not just drugs and alcohol, it’s actions too. It’s like mind, body, and soul. I have to stay connected to a higher power and I have to stay connected to my support group because I lose that then that’s a relapse before a relapse.” |
Happiness/Peace | 10 | “just finding a comfort and a calmness in life. Relaxation, like a good sleep.” “it’s actually really peaceful. I don’t have to worry about where I can get another fix or struggling to make money to buy drug or anything like that.” |
Manageable Life/Stability/Normalcy | 10 | “recovery looks like to me having a normal life and just being able to wake up everyday and not look for something to make you feel better…just a normal life…I don’t know, just a house and a family and a simple life. I just want a simple life.” “someone who’s living a manageable life, in control of it, back on top of it.” |