Spouses’ experience of a shared alcohol rehabilitation involvement : an interpretative phenomenological analysis

Abstract

The focus of this research is the spouses’ lived experience of a shared alcohol rehabilitation involvement. This research sets out to gain more knowledge through the subjective experience of how the spouse of an alcohol-dependent person experienced the feedback session they attended as a couple. The family life cycle model is used as theoretical framework. The research was conducted at Stabilis Treatment Centre where three female participants were recruited. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews and a genogram. The collected data was analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis, which gave rise to five themes. The five themes constituted the feedback session, the contributing factors of addiction, relationships, emotions and the couple. The participants experienced the feedback session as worthwhile and all drew benefit from the session in different ways. Heritability, demanding life events and the nature of an individual were reported as contributing factors of addiction. Familial relationships were deemed to be an important support structure for the alcohol-dependent person, while friendships were seen as a temptation. The participants reported sadness and relief when the patient was admitted to rehabilitation, while feeling excited yet nervous upon discharge. The research managed to gain an in-depth, insiders’ view of each theme through the stories of the participants.