| Abstract [eng] |
Scientific problem. Drama therapy is a relatively new branch of therapy in Lithuania and is not yet widely developed. In addition, although there has been research conducted to evaluate the effects of drama therapy on people recovering from psychoactive substance addiction, there is a lack of more detailed research that would reveal the phenomenon of applying drama therapy to this group of clients, taking into account the specific context of addiction treatment. Participants: Seven men and women (aged 28 to 43) recovering from psychoactive substance (alcohol, drugs and psychotropic substances) addiction, who are receiving the services of various specialists (psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, occupational therapist) and medical treatment for the condition of abstinence, and who have participated in 5 to 9 (out of 15) one-hour long drama therapy group sessions before the interview. The format of the drama therapy group was an open mixed group. Methods. Data collected through semi-structured interviews were analysed using the inductive thematic analysis method. Research aim – to reveal how people recovering from psychoactive substance addiction have experienced drama therapy in a psychiatric day hospital. Objectives: 1) to describe the authentic, subjective drama therapy experience of people recovering from psychoactive substance addiction in the context of a psychiatric day hospital, 2) to present in a structured way how the study participants reflect on the drama therapy experience. Results. After the inductive thematic analysis, three main themes were refined that describe the experience of drama therapy of people recovering from psychoactive substance addiction: 1) Use versus recovery: the way participants reflect, 2) The benefits of drama therapy are not immediately apparent, and 3) Drama therapy helps to recover indirectly. Conclusion: People recovering from psychoactive substance addiction face a variety of biopsychosocial consequences during withdrawal that are difficult and can potentially encourage relapse, and drama therapy not only provides much-needed health resources but also allows participants to safely face their fears and complexes, feel self-satisfaction after defeating it, experience joy in communicating with others. Meanwhile, being in a mixed open group is reflected in different, individual ways, depending on the participant’s mood, motivation, personal fears and the previous experience of attending groups in this format. |
