Journal of Psychiatry

Womens stories about alcohol use disorder mediated by alcoholics anonymous

Joint Event on World Congress on Psychiatry & Psychological Syndromes & 29^th International Conference on Adolescent Medicine and Child Psychology

December 06-07, 2018 | Rome, Italy

Liezille Jacobs

Rhodes University, South Africa

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Psychiatry

Abstract:

This study explored women???s lived recovery experiences from alcohol use disorder (AUD) facilitated by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). The women (n = 10; age range 30???62 years; married = 6) completed life story interviews regarding their recovery from AUD with AA participation. Discourse analysis of the interview data yielded themes to suggest the women characterize their recovery as spiritual growth, a healing process with reliance of a higher authority, renewed purpose of life, and actively engaging rehabilitation. Spirituality appears a key resource in women???s AUD recovery.

Biography :

Dr. Liezille Jacobs is a senior lecturer in the Psychology Department at Rhodes University. Dr. Jacobs teaches social psychology and critical health psychology to undergraduates. She also oversees the research of postgraduate students studying addiction. She has been working in addiction and feminist research for the past 20 years. Her specific research interest is to study women’s unique experiences with alcohol use disorder. Dr. Jacobs has worked at the South African Medical Research Council, the Human Sciences Research Council, the University of Cape Town, the University of the Western Cape, Howard University, Howard University Hospital, Georgetown University and the University of Antwerpen where she taught research methods and conducted research on addiction.

E-mail: liezille.jacobs@ru.ac.za