Lived experience of getting out of emotional dependence in individuals with substance abuse

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the lived experience of getting out of emotional dependence in individuals with substance abuse. This was a qualitative study which used thematic analysis. The target population was all members of the Association of Anonymous Addicts in Yazd; a total of 10 people were purposefully selected to participate in the study. A semi-structured interview was conducted until the interviews were saturated. The data analyzed using continuous comparison and open, axial and selective coding. Findings showed that the experience of anonymous addicts members about emotional dependence includes 2 main categories "incompetence" and "self-destruction" and 11 basic categories "Weakness in the protection of individual and interpersonal borders","extreme dependency","fear of loss","failure in rupture","extreme service","lack of sufficient determination","low differentiation","lack of intellectual and emotional independence", "vulnerability", "low self-esteem" and "surrender". Findings showed that addicts who have emotional dependence have problems without the presence of the other person. They feel inadequate without the person they belong to, and they also act like a victim and hurt themselves for fear of rejection.

Keywords

• lived experience
• substance abuse
• emotional dependence