Research Paradigm
This study will employ a qualitative technique of data collection and analysis. Qualitative methodology has been chosen as it allows the researcher directaccess to the lived realities and experience of the subject in a way that quantitative data cannot (Silverman 2008: 57).
According to Polkinghorne, quoted here in Holloway and Jefferson, narrative is the "primary form
by which human experience is made meaningful" (2000: 32). Through narrative the researcher can gain understanding of events and processes in the life of the subject, and the meaning attached to them. Oral histories allow the subject to construct the narrative of their life story, in a free flowing
way according to the themes that are important to them and seen as being a factor in , or having relevance to their subsequent addiction.
Oral history originated in the humanities as a means of introducing the voice of ordinary people into the study of history, as well as giving voice to marginalised and oppressed groups (Fontana and James 1994; Dahl and Malin 2009). Thus it is suited to the task of telling the stories of drug users, who fall within this category. It is also useful for locating for locating individual experience within broader cultural and historical contexts (Sangster 1994; Green 2004; Batty 2009), and for revealing processes and agency (Abrams 2010). This makes it an appropriate approach for uncovering the causes and effects of addiction and recovery, which may may play out in unsuspecting ways. Oral histories have more recently been widely used in the social and health sciences (Kerr 2003, Miller-Rosser et al. 2009)
Sampling Process
Sampling will be purposive, with particular criteria in mind. Subjects will be chosen according to severity of their addiction and all will have spent time on the streets, in institutions or jail as a result of their addiction to heroin. For purposes of recovery, emphasis will be placed on the candidates level of reintegration into the community, healthy social functioning and financial independence, rather than "clean" time. The ideal candidate will have remained free of using heroin, but not necessarily other drugs, for a minimum of one year period, but allowances will be made for minor relapses, or "slips".
I have done extensive work with addicted users at a community level. I am a member of a 12-step fellowship support group in my local area and play a role as a peer support person for other addicts who are in recovery or who are aiming for recovery. Being a recovering addicted user myself will help with locating subjects and with the bonding required to gain their trust. I will make use of my own membership in these groups, and my active participation in them as a gateway to recruiting participants in this study. However I will not limit my respondents to 12 step group members in my locality. I will also actively be seeking out stories of recovery as told by those who are not, and have not been, members of 12 step fellowship groups. To facilitate this I will also draw on a circle of friends and acquaintances, from my time in active addiction, of previously addicted users who have found other pathways to recovery. Further my colleagues at the Urban Futures Centre are involved in a large scale harm-reduction based research and intervention project from which participants will be drawn. David Silverman has established the use of existing relationships and contacts as acceptable practice within qualitative research (2008: 34). I also intend to approach other addiction treatment centres who can recommend further participants for the study. In this way a diversity of recovery pathways can be represented.
The number of interviewees will be determined by data saturation,with a tentative figure of 15 (this represents one sample) bearing in mind that the interviews will be extensive, covering the life story of the subject in detail.
Procedure for the collection of data.
Once contact has been made, an interview will be set up. This will take place either in the home of the candidate, or in a neutral venue. Community centres or church halls are available as venues through Narcotics Anonymous and other support groups.
At the outset, the participant will be asked to read and sign the letter of consent, agreeing to the terms of the interview. Ethical questions, such as the sensitivity of the subject matter will then be discussed. Issues of confidentiality, access to data as well as any other questions the participants may have will be addressed. The participant will then be briefed as to the nature and intent of the study. They will be made aware that if they wish to discontinue the interview at any stage, due to discomfort or distress they may do so. They will also be informed that a drug addiction counsellor is available for them to talk to, if necessary. Arrangements for this have been made in advance.
My own experience as an addicted drug user will be drawn on to create a sense of identification and trust with the interviewee. Where necessary I will share my own story with the participant.The aim is that the interviewer will be seen as an accomplice and fellow journeyer, with whom they can share openly and honestly, rather than an authority figure collecting information for processing. This will convey an interest in their story for it's own sake rather than as merely subjects. In this way issues of power can be addressed and the temptation of the subject to elaborate or downplay aspects of their story will be avoided.
At the beginning of the interview itself, the participants attention will be directed to a list of questions
(Appendix 2). These are aimed at focusing the life story narrative on issues pertinent to addiction and recovery. Attention will be drawn to these during the interview, but interruptions will be kept to a minimum. This will allow the participant to direct and construct their own story, according to what they see as relevant to their addiction and recovery.
Four trial interviews were conducted in preparation for this study. Interviews lasted between 90 and 150 minutes. They have also shown that when a list of questions is presented in advance, minimal intervention is needed to keep the oral history on track.The participants were found to follow the script in keeping with the subject of the narrative.
I will be conducting interviews personally, as well as writing up the transcripts myself.
Provision will be made for the participants to view and respond to the narratives once they have been transcribed to ensure their authenticity and that participants are still willing to have them used in the study. This is in line with good protocol for doing oral history research (Abrams 2010).
Procedure for analysis of data.
Becoming intimately familiar with the data is seen by Silverman as vitally important before any thematic breakdown begins. (Silverman 2008: 55). Listening to the initial recordings would be an important initial stage,as this can give one verbal cues often missed in the transcript. These could be tone of voice, breaks, laughter and other noises which may indicate emotional states. This will be followed by a close reading of the transcripts, to begin to identify themes and topics within the subject's histories.
The NVIVO program will then be used to assist in the process of organising the data thematically. Focus will be on the subjects personal understanding of life events in relation to their subsequent addiction and recovery, and on relations with family and community. Factors and events that may have contributed to addiction, and subsequent recovery, in the understanding of the subject, no matter how small or seemingly irrelevant will be sought out. Common themes that emerge will then be analysed in relation to the literature around existing treatment models and theories of addiction with the aim of identifying the strengths and addressing the limitations of these in light of the data that emerges.
Hopefully this study can make some contribution to a better understanding of addiction, informed as it is by the life experience of people who have survived active addiction in its most severe form, and lead to the designing of better programs and models of treatment for those that are excluded or do not benefit, for whatever reason, from present models.
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