Awakening: 'Spontaneous recovery’ from substance abuse among Aboriginal peoples in Canada
There is a paucity of research on spontaneous recovery (SR) from substance abuse in general, and specific to Aboriginal peoples. There is also limited understanding of the healing process associated with SR. In this study, SR was examined among a group of Aboriginal peoples in Canada. Employing a de...
Main Authors: | , , , , |
---|---|
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
University of Western Ontario
2011-05-01
|
Series: | International Indigenous Policy Journal |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://ir.lib.uwo.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1015&context=iipj |
id |
doaj-d9c10fed6f134bf282c5b4c3625d3a2b |
---|---|
record_format |
Article |
spelling |
doaj-d9c10fed6f134bf282c5b4c3625d3a2b2020-11-25T03:30:07ZengUniversity of Western OntarioInternational Indigenous Policy Journal1916-57812011-05-01217Awakening: 'Spontaneous recovery’ from substance abuse among Aboriginal peoples in CanadaElder Campbell PapequashColleen A. DellAdrien TempierRandy DuncanRaymond TempierThere is a paucity of research on spontaneous recovery (SR) from substance abuse in general, and specific to Aboriginal peoples. There is also limited understanding of the healing process associated with SR. In this study, SR was examined among a group of Aboriginal peoples in Canada. Employing a decolonizing methodology, thematic analysis of traditional talking circle narratives identified an association between a traumatic life event and an ‘awakening.’ This ‘awakening’ was embedded in primary (i.e., consider impact on personal well-being) and secondary (i.e., implement alternative coping mechanism) cognitive appraisal processes and intrinsic and extrinsic motivation rooted in increased traditional Aboriginal cultural awareness and understanding. This contributed to both abstinence (i.e., recovery) and sustained well-being (i.e.,continued abstinence). Three key interrelated ‘themes’ specific to the role of culture in SR and recovery maintenance were identified: Aboriginal identity, cultural practices, and traditional values. These findings,combined with the limited literature, were developed into a prospective model of SR from substance abuse inAboriginal peoples. This model highlights the potential need for substance abuse treatment and intervention policy to consider culture as a determinant of health and well-being.http://ir.lib.uwo.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1015&context=iipjspontaneous recoveryawakeningsubstance abuseAboriginalculturewell-being |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Elder Campbell Papequash Colleen A. Dell Adrien Tempier Randy Duncan Raymond Tempier |
spellingShingle |
Elder Campbell Papequash Colleen A. Dell Adrien Tempier Randy Duncan Raymond Tempier Awakening: 'Spontaneous recovery’ from substance abuse among Aboriginal peoples in Canada International Indigenous Policy Journal spontaneous recovery awakening substance abuse Aboriginal culture well-being |
author_facet |
Elder Campbell Papequash Colleen A. Dell Adrien Tempier Randy Duncan Raymond Tempier |
author_sort |
Elder Campbell Papequash |
title |
Awakening: 'Spontaneous recovery’ from substance abuse among Aboriginal peoples in Canada |
title_short |
Awakening: 'Spontaneous recovery’ from substance abuse among Aboriginal peoples in Canada |
title_full |
Awakening: 'Spontaneous recovery’ from substance abuse among Aboriginal peoples in Canada |
title_fullStr |
Awakening: 'Spontaneous recovery’ from substance abuse among Aboriginal peoples in Canada |
title_full_unstemmed |
Awakening: 'Spontaneous recovery’ from substance abuse among Aboriginal peoples in Canada |
title_sort |
awakening: 'spontaneous recovery’ from substance abuse among aboriginal peoples in canada |
publisher |
University of Western Ontario |
series |
International Indigenous Policy Journal |
issn |
1916-5781 |
publishDate |
2011-05-01 |
description |
There is a paucity of research on spontaneous recovery (SR) from substance abuse in general, and specific to Aboriginal peoples. There is also limited understanding of the healing process associated with SR. In this study, SR was examined among a group of Aboriginal peoples in Canada. Employing a decolonizing methodology, thematic analysis of traditional talking circle narratives identified an association between a traumatic life event and an ‘awakening.’ This ‘awakening’ was embedded in primary (i.e., consider impact on personal well-being) and secondary (i.e., implement alternative coping mechanism) cognitive appraisal processes and intrinsic and extrinsic motivation rooted in increased traditional Aboriginal cultural awareness and understanding. This contributed to both abstinence (i.e., recovery) and sustained well-being (i.e.,continued abstinence). Three key interrelated ‘themes’ specific to the role of culture in SR and recovery maintenance were identified: Aboriginal identity, cultural practices, and traditional values. These findings,combined with the limited literature, were developed into a prospective model of SR from substance abuse inAboriginal peoples. This model highlights the potential need for substance abuse treatment and intervention policy to consider culture as a determinant of health and well-being. |
topic |
spontaneous recovery awakening substance abuse Aboriginal culture well-being |
url |
http://ir.lib.uwo.ca/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1015&context=iipj |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT eldercampbellpapequash awakeningspontaneousrecoveryfromsubstanceabuseamongaboriginalpeoplesincanada AT colleenadell awakeningspontaneousrecoveryfromsubstanceabuseamongaboriginalpeoplesincanada AT adrientempier awakeningspontaneousrecoveryfromsubstanceabuseamongaboriginalpeoplesincanada AT randyduncan awakeningspontaneousrecoveryfromsubstanceabuseamongaboriginalpeoplesincanada AT raymondtempier awakeningspontaneousrecoveryfromsubstanceabuseamongaboriginalpeoplesincanada |
_version_ |
1724577102595883008 |