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Self-interpellation in narratives about craving: Multiple and unitary selves.
Mats Ekendahl1, Patrik Karlsson1, Josefin Månsson1
1Department of Social Work, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden.
Sociology of Health & Illness
|August 29, 2022
Summary
This study explores how talk therapies influence addiction recovery narratives. Participants often describe craving as stemming from an inauthentic self, a concept that can be challenging for recovery.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Addiction Studies
Background:
- Addiction is often understood through the lens of craving, a strong urge to use substances.
- Talk therapies aim to address substance use problems by reshaping clients' perspectives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze how talk therapies, like relapse prevention and self-help groups, shape identity and craving understanding.
- To investigate the role of personal narratives ('self-interpellation') in constructing these understandings.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative analysis of interviews with individuals in talk therapies in Sweden.
- Focus on how participants narrate their experiences of craving and selfhood.
Main Results:
- A dominant narrative involved 'multiple selves,' where craving was attributed to an inauthentic self, distinct from a 'true' self.
- A less common narrative featured a 'unitary self' battling craving over time.
- The 'multiple selves' narrative appeared as a dominant framework influencing identity construction.
Conclusions:
- The concept of multiple selves in addiction recovery can be ontologically demanding.
- Demystifying craving by moving away from blaming substance effects or brain malfunction may reduce stigma associated with habitual substance use.
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