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Chased by the dragon : the experience of relapse in cocaine and heroin users
Dissertation (MA (Clinical Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2005.
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| Format: | Thesis |
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University of Pretoria
2013
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| _version_ | 1867613679898329088 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Schoeman, J.B. |
| author_browse | Schoeman, J.B. |
| author_facet | Schoeman, J.B. |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2004, University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Dissertation (MA (Clinical Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2005. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/28839 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:39:59.298Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2013 |
| publishDateRange | 2013 |
| publishDateSort | 2013 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/28839 Chased by the dragon : the experience of relapse in cocaine and heroin users Schoeman, J.B. upetd@up.ac.za Bain, Katherine Alison Denial Coping Detachment Repression Splitting Self-destruction Suppression Systems theory Cybernetics Control Psychodynamics Heroin use Substance dependence Identity Substance abuse Cocaine/crack use Relapse UCTD Dissertation (MA (Clinical Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2005. The purpose of this study is to describe the subjective psychological experience of relapse in cocaine/crack and heroin users with the aim of identifying the significant cognitive, emotional and social themes involved in relapse. A better understanding of relapse may aid in providing more effective treatment for substance users. Both the intra- and interpsychic factors involved in relapse that emerge from the study are viewed from within a broad systems theory approach. In this study, not only the whole system is of relevance, but also the subsystems. Various sub systems are also identified to allow for the recognition of patterns, functions and recursive feedback loops that maintain substance-using behaviour. Due to the qualitative nature of the study, the context surrounding substance abuse and the substance users assumes vital importance. The interrelationships between the various intrapsychic structures, the family unit, the social contexts, the drugs themselves and the physiological aspects of substance abuse are identified. A qualitative research design was applied. In-depth semi-structured interviews were used to gather data from the eight participants, who were crack and heroin users who attended the in-patient rehabilitation programme at Phoenix House. Seven of the participants were still in the in-patient rehabilitation programme at the time of the interview, while one participant was in the aftercare programme. All have been through a rehabilitation process before and were at Phoenix House due to a relapse. A thematic analysis was conducted and the process of analysis settled on eight overall themes. Extensive descriptions of these themes are provided. The discussion highlights the role of relapse in the cycle of self-destruction that constitutes substance abuse, in addition to the role relapse plays in the process of recovery. Connection seems to be the key to breaking the cycle of alienation that users experience. Falling into the trap of rejecting users without looking beyond their behaviour allows them to continue functioning in a way that confirms their view of themselves as unlovable, which, in turn, maintains their behaviour. Although systems theory is an independent approach in its own right, the nature of its view allows for the incorporation of other approaches. Where possible and relevant, other theories are incorporated into the discussion of the results, with the aim of gaining an integrated understanding of the findings of the study within the broader field of substance abuse. Psychology unrestricted 2013-09-07T14:20:37Z 2004-10-19 2013-09-07T14:20:37Z 2004-01-21 2005-10-19 2004-10-19 Dissertation Bain KA 2004, Chased by the dragon : the experience of relapse in cocaine and heroin users, MA dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd < http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-10192004-100341 / > http://hdl.handle.net/2263/28839 http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-10192004-100341/ © 2004, University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf application/pdf application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | Denial Coping Detachment Repression Splitting Self-destruction Suppression Systems theory Cybernetics Control Psychodynamics Heroin use Substance dependence Identity Substance abuse Cocaine/crack use Relapse UCTD Chased by the dragon : the experience of relapse in cocaine and heroin users |
| title | Chased by the dragon : the experience of relapse in cocaine and heroin users |
| title_full | Chased by the dragon : the experience of relapse in cocaine and heroin users |
| title_fullStr | Chased by the dragon : the experience of relapse in cocaine and heroin users |
| title_full_unstemmed | Chased by the dragon : the experience of relapse in cocaine and heroin users |
| title_short | Chased by the dragon : the experience of relapse in cocaine and heroin users |
| title_sort | chased by the dragon the experience of relapse in cocaine and heroin users |
| topic | Denial Coping Detachment Repression Splitting Self-destruction Suppression Systems theory Cybernetics Control Psychodynamics Heroin use Substance dependence Identity Substance abuse Cocaine/crack use Relapse UCTD |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/28839 http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-10192004-100341/ |