Graduation Date
1996
Document Type
Project
Program
Other
Program
Arts
Committee Chair Name
Dr. Elizabeth Watson
Committee Chair Affiliation
Cal Poly Humboldt Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Dr. Jerrald D. Krause
Third Committee Member Name
Dr. John P. Turner
Keywords
Art
Subject Categories
Art
Abstract
Participatory observation and staff interviews were utilized to identify the goals and treatment modalities used by the Family Recovery Services (FRS) program. FRS employs the disease model to define certain behaviors as addictions. A questionnaire was developed and administered to former patients of the program. A large group of patients were not currently following the prescribed treatment of participation in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), which was the paramount element of the remedy imposed by the FRS program. These individuals reported cessation of substance abuse and improvement in major life areas; however, this would not be interpreted as a successful outcome by disease-model proponents without the patients' acceptance of a lifelong sick label and their reinterpretation of events through the view of AA. A literature review of the disease model strongly suggests it is not based on science, but rather a successful campaign by various spokespersons and institutions to define certain behaviors as addictions. A paradigm shift is now necessary in order to accommodate and encourage a highly variable population of individuals with a variety of needs. An interactionist approach is offered as an alternative that lends insight into the etiology of deviant careers in drug and alcohol abuse and provides a link between the individual and social structure. In September 1990, at the request of the program director Michael Goldsby, I began a research project for Family Recovery Services (FRS) of Saint Joseph Hospital of Eureka, California. The purpose of this project was to provide the staff at Family Recovery Services (FRS) greater insight into and understanding of the effects of their program. This research project was conducted in conjunction with graduate study courses I was taking through the sociology department at Humboldt State University. A questionnaire was developed through the process of a three-part strategy. First, I participated in and observed the several group therapies provided at FRS. Second, interviews and discussions were conducted with staff and participants that revealed consensual and unique treatment modalities, and how these methods of treatment were implemented and received. Third, literature was reviewed in the areas of addictions and questionnaire formatting. The duration of this project was approximately one year, and was under the supervision of Dr. Jerrald Krause, professor of Sociology at Humboldt State University. The FRS program was dedicated to the treatment of addictions which included alcohol, prescription medication, illegal drugs (i.e. marijuana, methamphetamine), etc. Many patients of the program had multiple addictions, some believing they were addicted to sex, gambling, shopping, etc. My initial task was to observe and participate in 150 hours of the daily operations of this program. This included observing group therapy sessions, participation in family week, attending staff meetings and interviewing patients as well as FRS staff. The purpose behind this type of participant/observation was to define the goals and objectives of the FRS program as described by those who administer and implement the program, discover consensual and unique treatment modalities, and determine how those were delivered and received. In late February of 1991, a six page questionnaire was mailed to all who had participated in the FRS program since its inception in 1989 (see Appendix). A follow-up questionnaire was then sent out. Finally, on April 30, 1991, a thank-you letter with a last appeal to those who had not yet responded was mailed to each participant. The last questionnaire was received in the early part of June, 1991. Within a two-year period, 282 people had participated in the FRS program. Of that population, 8 people had died. After exhausting all resources, 26 people could not be located, and hence did not receive a questionnaire. This left a total of 248 questionnaires delivered; 97 (39%) were returned. From those questionnaires returned, 93 (37%) provided usable information. Similar studies that analyzed program success were an ongoing task at St. Joseph Hospital, 3 Family Recovery Services, and their affiliate, Sisters of Orange. At the time, Marilyn Osbourne was the intake counselor at FRS of Orange. Monthly self-report questionnaires were sent out by personnel to participants of their program. According to Ms Osbourne, return rates ranging from 20-28% were the norm. The findings of this project are summarized in the following report. The information appears in the same order as the questionnaire. Following the discussion of these results is a review of the pertinent literature in the area of addictions.
Recommended Citation
Conway, Steve J., "The Efficacy of Disease-Model Treatment for Substance Abusers" (1996). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 2399.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/2399