Managing stigma and professional identity development: Qualitative Study of Addiction Counsellors with Lived Experience
Authors
1.Dr. Gabriela Novotna (⚑ Canada) 1
1. University of Regina
Abstract
In Canada, a significant number of individuals who experienced addiction and recovery first-hand work as addiction treatment professionals. Historically, those individuals have played a major role in the grassroots development of the addiction treatment field in the country, and they remain an essential part of Canadian addiction services. However, there is a lack of understanding about how these individuals navigate their personal experiences with addiction and recovery while fulfilling their professional roles as addiction counsellors. To address this gap, our study analyzed data collected from 22 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with addiction professionals with lived experience. Participants were individuals with a professional job in addiction treatment services; 13 were women, and nine were men aged 30-64. Data was thematically coded using the principles of Grounded Theory.
The findings of the study highlighted the challenges encountered by addiction counsellors, including the setbacks in their own recovery management, stigma from institutions in which they worked, and complex dynamics within the workplace. Despite the proliferation of the harm reduction paradigm, our findings suggest that abstinence-based recovery management is still more highly valued than other types of recovery. The study categorizes the practitioners' experiences into stages of maturation, with distinct approaches to managing personal and professional development, judicious disclosure of their recovery status, and the need to maintain professional boundaries.
The study's findings contribute to research on the implications of viewing addiction recovery not only as a sustained cessation of alcohol or drug use but also as a continuum of improved health and functioning. Additionally, peer-related issues in treatment services and support will be discussed, providing information for updating postsecondary training curricula and certification. The findings are applicable across multiple fields, as integrating individuals with lived experience into traditional treatments and support for health issues is becoming more common.
