The purpose of this study is to examine the phenomenon of alcoholic's relapse to afford a new perspective for the social work practice. This study is based on the qualitative research, more specifically, mixing the grounded theory and the phenomenolog...
The purpose of this study is to examine the phenomenon of alcoholic's relapse to afford a new perspective for the social work practice. This study is based on the qualitative research, more specifically, mixing the grounded theory and the phenomenological method.
The period of data collection by depth interview was from June, 2003 to August, 2003. Five alcoholics participated in the interview as clients.
The data was analyzed by the grounded theory and interpreted by the phenomenological method.
In an open coding, I percolated concepts and subcategories, and finally arrived eleven categories.
In an axial coding I performed the category analysis according to a paradigm model.
The outcomes of an axial coding are as follows.
The causal condition was 'fixation of bad habit' and 'confusion of the meaning of existence'.
The phenomenon was 'self-abandonment'.
The contextual condition was 'social phenomenon' and 'dissociation of actuality'.
The intervening condition was 'social support system' and 'restoration to the original shape'.
The action/interaction was 'restoration of self-existence' or 'fixation of addiction'.
The consequence was 'abstinence from alcohol' or 'liquidation of existence'.
The core category in a selective coding was 'self-understanding of alcoholics through relapse'.
Phenomenological interpretations are as follows.
The interpretation on the causal condition was 'binding with bad habit' and 'anxiety on personal level'.
The interpretation on the phenomenon was 'appearance of thanatos by outer impact'.
The interpretation on the contextual condition was 'an auxiliary spiritual puppet by other'.
The interpretation on the intervening condition was 'self-consciousness of one's self-originality'.
The interpretation on the action/interaction was 'restoration of self-existence' or 'fixation of addiction'.
The interpretation on the consequence was 'transcendence from secular interest and egocentricity' or 'curiosity of secular man'.
Based upon the results of this study, I dare to assert that the relapse of alcoholics must be accepted as the opportunity for a mature self.