The Destructive Path of Addiction: Experiences of Six Parents Who are Substance Dependent

Abstract

This qualitative study explored the experiences of five men and one woman who were parents, substance dependent, and receiving treatment. Data collected by observation and in-depth interviewing were analyzed using constant comparison method and thematic analysis. Findings were grouped into three categories: surviving my childhood and becoming an adult, the struggles of trying to be a parent, and the roles of spouses and extended family members. An overarching metathematic category, the destructive path and powerful appeal of addiction, describes why the participants reported feeling most comfortable in the role of drug addict and found order in the chaos in the addictive lifestyle.

KEYWORDS:

• drug addiction
• parenting
• qualitative methodology

Notes

*Information incomplete—participant left treatment program after first interview.

This manuscript is dedicated to the author's mother—Veronica Knis.