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Theses and Dissertations

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Browsing Theses and Dissertations by Author "Aberle, Jen, committee member"

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    Grief reactions to drug loss: a grounded theory approach
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2013) Haralson, David, author; Matheson, Jenn, advisor; Aberle, Jen, committee member; Miller, Lisa, committee member
    Grief responses have generally been associated with death-related losses. However, there is growing research that suggests that individuals create attachments with non-human objects such as alcohol or other drugs. Few studies have addressed feelings of loss associated with drugs. In this study, we interviewed 10 individuals who were at early stages of recovering from substance misuse. While we primarily used a grounded theory approach to analyze the data, we also used attachment theory, theory of continuing bonds, and Worden's tasks of grief as guiding frameworks for our analysis. We found that participants' relationship with drugs tended to fluctuate over time and that their grief experiences varied depending on what stage of the relationship they were in with their drug of choice. All participants in this study reported having a relationship with the drug and experiencing physical, emotional, cognitive, and relational reactions to separating from the drug that were similar to grief experienced from a death-related loss. At the same time, all participants reported that their grief experiences with drug loss were "different" than their grief experiences with death-related loss. Clinical implications of the results of this study are included in the discussion.
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    The experience of drug loss among college students in treatment for cannabis abuse
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014) Miller, Mackenzie, author; Matheson, Jenn, advisor; Aberle, Jen, committee member; Miller, Lisa, committee member
    Grief-related symptoms among people in recovery from drug abuse have been acknowledged in the substance abuse literature. However, there is no existing theory to explain the phenomenon of grief reactions to discontinued drug use. In an attempt to contribute to the developing Drug Loss Theory (Matheson, in press), this mixed methods study was designed to investigate grief-related symptoms among individuals who have discontinued the use of cannabis. Worden's Task Model of Grief and Attachment Theory were used as the theoretical frameworks to guide this in-depth study of six college students who have discontinued the use of cannabis. The conceptual focus of the study was to explore the nature of the relationship between participants and cannabis, and to understand participants' descriptions and definitions of drug loss. The researchers administered the Cannabis Use Disorder Identification Test (CUDIT) which revealed a moderate level of dependence among the six participants. Total scores on the Core Bereavement Items (CBI) scale ranged from 20-40 (out of a 51 points), with an average score of 31.7, indicating a medium level of bereavement. Researchers collected qualitative data through semi-structured interviews in order to explore the awareness and experience of five college students with a cannabis use disorder, and one college student with a polysubstance use disorder. I discuss the themes that emerged and integrate those with the literature including attachment theory and Worden's Tasks of Grief to compare and contrast the loss experience of these cannabis users to other loss experiences such as death of a loved one.