Arts & Social Sciences
Te Kura Kete Aronui

Abstract

Catherine Devaliant. (2004). Testing the water: An exploration of residents’ experience of the Odyssey House young adult programme. Unpublished Master of Social Science Thesis. Hamilton: University of Waikato.

This study investigated the experiences of 7 residents who participated in the Odyssey House young adult programme, a programme based on the therapeutic community model of treatment for addictions.  All the participants had resided in the programme for at least 6 months at the time they were recruited into the study.  Each participant completed two semi-structured interviews, one whilst in the programme, and one 6 months after they had left treatment, regardless of whether they completed the programme.  A qualitative research design was used, with a thematic analysis of the interview transcripts being conducted.  The study aimed to investigate the participants’ views of their treatment experience and what changes had occurred in their lives as a result of treatment.  The findings indicate that at the time of the follow-up interview the participants had made progress in a number of areas including a reduction in the use of substances, an increase in their participation in paid employment as well as a strengthening in the relationship with their family.  The findings suggest that there is a discrepancy between the theory of the treatment model, and how it is practiced within the young adult programme.  Additionally the appropriateness of abstinence-based treatment for a young adult population was questioned by some of the participants.  Six of the seven participants were continuing to consume alcohol and/or illicit drugs post-treatment, though some did not perceive their current levels of use to be problematic.  There is discussion of possible explanations for the study’s findings including the effect of the abstinence philosophy upon engagement and compliance, and the need for interventions to be in line with the stage in the individual is at in the change process.  The study concludes with calls for further investigation of residents’ experience of treatment, and for research to explore the perceptions of other stakeholders in the treatment setting, in order to increase our understanding of the treatment process.  It is argued that qualitative research has an important contribution to make to this endeavour.  Issues relating to the development of the young adult programme are raised, with recognition of the need for the programme to develop in response to the needs of the diverse population it now treats.