Developing Alternative Stories with Partners of Illicit Substance Users

ABSTRACT

The needs of partners of illicit substance users (ISU) in recovery have traditionally been left out of the treatment process. Dominant social discourses concerning partners’ behaviors typically constrain and marginalize the spectrum of their experiences beyond illicit substance use. This article discusses prevailing dominant discourses in the field that conceptualize society’s perception of partners of illicit substance users. Reaching beyond the scope of dominant approaches, Narrative Therapy Practices can help partners of illicit substance users in early recovery help create alternative stories, derive new meanings, and develop personal agency in addressing their problems. Considering the ideas expressed in this article, this article bridges the current treatment gap by opening space for reconfiguring understanding of partners’ experiences. In order to help bring counselors awareness and generate new conversations that will attend to the needs of partners in recovery. It will also promote a greater understanding of narrative practices with groups as a means to facilitate an environment that will help partners of those in early recovery cope with the impact of illicit substance use on their lives.

This article contributes toward future development of practices to assist partners of illicit substance users (ISU) in early recovery.

KEYWORDS:

• Couples
• dominant discourses
• narrative therapy
• substance abuse