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Pierce, Todd G. (1996) Gen-X Junkie: Ethnographic Research with Young white Heroin Users in Washington, DC. Substance and Misuse. Vol. 34, Issue 14, December 1999.
Peyrot, Mark, (1985) Narcotics Anonymous: Its History, Structure, and Approach. Substance Use and Misuse. 1985 Vol. 20 No.10.
APPENDIX A: QUESTIONNAIRE
Interview One
Participant:
Mitchell Powers
Age:
55
Marital Status:
Divorced
Occupation:
Criminal Defense Lawyer
Race:
Native American
Religious Affiliation:
Pentecostal
Interview Questions
Question 1. How did you find out about NA meetings?
Answer 1. I had surgery just as I went through my divorce and before I knew it I was addicted to pain medication. I really could not function without it and became very sick when I didn't have the medication. My family noticed that I was taking a lot of medication and then I
literally stole medication from family members' medicine cabinets. A friend to whom I am very close realized my predicament as well and invited me to come with him and I have been coming ever since and it is working for me and I am staying clean of pain medication.
Question 2. How long have you been attending NA meetings?
Answer 2. Ten years.
Question 3. What is the primary reason that you believe NA is effective for you?
Answer 3. Because I have to take a good look at myself from a sober viewpoint each day to stay sober and the supports to do just this -- to work the program so it will work for you and specifically "It works if you work it."
Interview Two
Participant:
Marybeth Jones
Age:
24
Marital Status:
Divorced
Occupation:
Plant worker
Race:
African-American
Religious Affiliation:
Baptist
Interview Questions
Question 1. How did you find out about NA meetings?
Answer 1. I tested positive on a drug screen at work and I was given the opportunity to enter treatment in order to keep my employment. Part of the treatment program is
Narcotics Anonymous which I attend several times each week. I have to get a form signed to give my employer to show that I have attended the meetings and that I am in compliance with my present job requirements.
Question 2: How long have you been attending NA meetings?
Answer 2. I have been attending NA meetings for three months now.
Question 3: What is the primary reason that you believe NA is effective for you?
How did you find out about NA meetings?
Answer 1. My pastor at church advised me of NA meetings when I attended a counseling session with my husband concerning our marital issues.
Question 2: How long have you been attending NA meetings?
Answer 2. All of my life! No really I have been attending for 18 years now.
Question 3: What is the primary reason that you believe NA is effective for you?
Answer 3. I feel that NA is effective because I am able to come together with others who have the same problem and issue and the support that is given me that only others with the same problem are able to provide to each other. As well, the ongoing encouragement has meant a great deal because in my profession the stress is high and everyone looks to me for support and sometimes I need support my own self.
Interview Four
Participant:
Theodore Miller
Age:
62
Marital Status:
Married
Occupation:
Doctor
Race:
Black
Religious Affiliation:
Methodist
Interview Questions
Question 1. How did you find out about NA meetings?
Answer 1. The nurse in my clinic had worked with me for 20 years when one day she boldly told me that she knew I was addicted to narcotics and that she too daily struggled with such an addiction. She invited me to attend a NA meeting. At first I
was put off by them and certainly did not want to stand up and say "hello, I am
Theodore and I am an addict" in fact I could not imagine doing such a thing. After attending on and off for several months I had a real bad episode and I actually hit my wife and pretty hard. My wife threatened to leave me and I began attending the meetings in earnest and have been attending for 15 years now.
Question 2: How long have you been attending NA meetings?
Answer 2. As I said in my answer to the previous question, I have attended for fifteen years.
Question 3: What is the primary reason that you believe NA is effective for you?
Answer 3. NA meetings provide a place for confessing your weakness and addressing the methods that can be used to address and conquer the weakness of addiction. In NA meetings the individual is 'anonymous' to the world outside but closely woven in a common cause which of course is staying clean and sober.
