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• Alvarez, J
• Jason, LA.
• Davis, MI.
• Olson, BD.
• Ferrari, JR.
• [+] on Google Scholar
• Alvarez, J
• Jason, LA.
• Davis, MI.
• Olson, BD.
• Ferrari, JR.
• [+] on PubMed
• Alvarez, J
• Jason, LA.
• Davis, MI.
• Olson, BD.
• Ferrari, JR.

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Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2009, 6(4), 1317-1334; doi:10.3390/ijerph6041317

Article

Latinos and Latinas in Communal Settings: A Grounded Theory of Recovery

Josefina Alvarez¹ , Leonard A. Jason^2,* , Margaret I. Davis² , Bradley D. Olson³  and Joseph R. Ferrari⁴

¹ Adler School of Professional Psychology, 65 E. Wacker Place, Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, USA ² DePaul University, Center for Community Research, 990 Fullerton Avenue, Suite 3100, Chicago, Illinois 60614, USA ³ Northwestern University, School of Education and Social Policy 2120 Campus Drive Evanston, IL 60208, USA ⁴ DePaul University, Department of Psychology, 2219 N. Kenmore Ave., Chicago, Il. 60614, USA

* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received: 25 February 2009 / Accepted: 26 March 2009 / Published: 31 March 2009

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Drug Abuse and Addiction)

Download PDF Full-Text [93 KB, uploaded 31 March 2009 10:11 CEST]

Abstract: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 Latino/a residents of a mutual help residential recovery program (Oxford House) in order to elicit their experiences of the program’s therapeutic elements. A model of recovery emerged from the analysis including several themes supported by existing literature: personal motivation and readiness to change, mutual help, sober environment, social support, and accountability. Consistent with a broad conceptualization of recovery, outcomes included abstinence, new life skills, and increased self-esteem/sense of purpose. Most participants were the only Latino/a in their Houses; however, cultural differences did not emerge as salient issues. The study’s findings highlight potential therapeutic aspects of mutual-help communal recovery programs and suggest that English-speaking, bicultural Latinos/as have positive experiences and may benefit from participating in these programs.

Keywords: Grounded Theory; Recovery homes; Addiction; Latino/Latina

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