On recovery from substance addiction through climbing: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

Kovacs, Szerenke

Abstract

Exercises and physical activities can potentially prevent or delay the onset of different mental health difficulties such as anxiety, affective, eating, and substance use disorders, as well as schizophrenia, dementia and mild cognitive impairment. In the field of addiction, the idea of exercise being adjunct to substance misuse treatment has been promoted. There has been limited research on the psychological benefits of climbing and specifically on the ways in which an outdoor recreational activity and exercise such as climbing may promote recovery from substance dependence.
The aim of the present study is to explore the ways in which individuals experience recovery from substance addiction through climbing. The present research adopted a qualitative methodology, specifically Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). IPA was selected as the qualitative methodology captures the detailed exploration of personal lived experiences. A sample of six participants, including five male and one female participant, were interviewed. The data gathered from semi-structured interviews were transcribed and analysed; the data analysis followed stages of IPA analysis. Two super-ordinate themes, with five sub-ordinate themes emerged from the participants’ accounts. The participants’ accounts revealed that an activity like climbing has the potential to entail physical, psychological and social values and also therapeutic elements, which can be crucial to successful recovery. The findings also suggest that the meaning of recovery is individual. Moreover, beyond formal therapeutic support, there are numerous factors which have the potential to contribute to the maintenance of recovery from substance dependence. The findings are discussed in relation to the relevant literature, and the lines of enquiry that have emerged have been located in the current literature, arguments and debates. Methodological limitations, directions for future research and clinical implications for the profession of Counselling Psychology have also been presented.

Citation

Kovacs, S. On recovery from substance addiction through climbing: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. (Thesis). University of the West of England. Retrieved from https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/861797

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 7, 2019
• Keywords: drugs, alcohol, addiction, exercise, climbing
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/861797
• Award Date: Sep 1, 2018