Discourses of behavioural addiction, normalisation and techniques of governmentality in inpatient substance abuse treatment

Figures & data

Figure 1. Semi-structured interview frame.

Table 1. Explanations, normality and techniques of governmentality according to the discourses of behavioural addiction.

Discourse	Psychological discourse	Disease discourse	Sociocultural discourse	Family discourse	Normalizing discourse
How is behavioural dependency explained?	traumatization; emotional deprivation; avoiding feelings	incurable disease; inherited susceptibility	social learning; effects of culture and environment	disrupted interaction; disrupted family dynamic	pathologization of the everyday
What is normality?	balance in emotional life; socially accepted relation to own inner feelings	health inaccessible to diseased person	socially constructive, changing, redefinable cultural bond	secure attachment relationship; adequate parenting	normalization of dependency; challenging what is normal
Can the client achieve normality?	yes	no	yes	yes	yes
What are the techniques of governmentality?	control over individual’s own inner feelings and self-seeking inner balance	the helpless client needs treatment and control	rehabilitation requires a change of cultural identity; acceptance of the mainstream culture	disciplinary power of child protective services; external control	challenging power relations; emancipation
Responsibility of the individual in rehabilitation?	responsible for oneself	not responsible	responsible in relation to the community	parental responsibility in relation to child	free and responsible