The meaning of heroin addiction : a phenomenological study

Van Zyl, Janet Ingrid

dc.contributor.advisor	Van Delft, Willem Friedemann	en
dc.contributor.author	Van Zyl, Janet Ingrid	en
dc.date.accessioned	2009-08-25T10:52:07Z
dc.date.available	2009-08-25T10:52:07Z
dc.date.issued	2007-11
dc.date.submitted	2007-11-30	en
dc.identifier.citation	Van Zyl, Janet Ingrid (2007) The meaning of heroin addiction : a phenomenological study, University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/1364>	en
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10500/1364
dc.description.abstract	Heroin addicts are often misunderstood and stigmatised. The aim of this investigation was to provide the reader with a description of the life world of heroin addicts who seem unable to recover from their addiction. The phenomenological method was used in order to achieve the aim of this study. Themes which emerged were that heroin traps the addicts in a paradox - creating meaning for them and robbing them of it at the same time. They develop a personal love relationship with the heroin, which turns into an abusive relationship. Recovery holds no guarantees as the addicts experience the process of recovery as a never ending cycle. This study highlights the value of the phenomenological method in describing the life world of the heroin addict undergoing treatment. Recommendations are made which may be of value to the professional working with the heroin addict.	en
dc.format.extent	1 online resource (104 leaves)
dc.language.iso	en	en
dc.subject	Heroin	en
dc.subject	Addiction	en
dc.subject	Meaning	en
dc.subject	Phenomenology	en
dc.subject	Relationship	en
dc.subject	Abuse	en
dc.subject	Paradox	en
dc.subject.ddc	362.293
dc.subject.lcsh	Heroin abuse -- Psychological aspects
dc.subject.lcsh	Heroin abuse -- Physiological aspects
dc.subject.lcsh	Drug abuse -- Psychological aspects
dc.subject.lcsh	Drug addicts
dc.subject.lcsh	Substance abuse -- Psychological aspects
dc.subject.lcsh	Phenomenology
dc.title	The meaning of heroin addiction : a phenomenological study	en
dc.type	Dissertation	en
dc.description.department	Social Work	en
dc.description.degree	M.A.(Social Science (Mental Health))	en