Abstract
This research paper reports on a qualitative, grounded theory study of the progress toward recovery of 30 women and identifies and examines their participation in high-risk behavior. High-risk behavior was defined as any behavior dangerous to the person's health, welfare, or personal safety; secondly, as any behavior that is dangerous to the person's recovery process; and thirdly, as any illegal behavior. In this light, these women engaged in many behaviors that were considered to be high-risk. Findings showed that women engaged in behaviors that presented significant risk and obstacles to their recovery process. Some behaviors, while welcomed in recovery (e.g., church attendance), once explored, were found to be problematic when the activity resulted in the exclusion of other helpful pursuits, or they created obstacles to engagement in activities that would lead to internalizing the recovery process. Recreational activities like bingo, fast driving, or even avoiding “people, places, and things” that resulted in isolation had negative consequences in recovery. This research has implications for managed care and contemporary substance abuse treatment practitioners who tend to view treatment as ending when the individual completes a structured program that includes rehabilitation and aftercare. What this research shows is that women may experience difvficulties beyond the initial 30-90 days of treatment. With no means to evaluate high-risk behavior in recovery available in a treatment setting, this linear view of treatment leaves a gap in services for many individuals