Creating the Role: How Dramatherapy Can Assist in Re/Creating an Identity with Recovering Addicts

Abstract

This article focuses on the use of role with two individuals in group dramatherapy treatment after active addiction. With current studies evidencing the success of the 12-step programme, this case study looks at psychodynamic dramatherapy after 12-step based primary treatment for alcohol and drug addiction. Once the role of the addict is removed, the symptom roles of ‘liar’, ‘failure’ and ‘the depressed’ are often left. Once a member of Narcotics Anonymous/Alcoholics Anonymous the role of ‘recovering addict’ is inserted and the individual is accepted into the recovery community. The multiple case study research focuses on methodology that enables improving resilience and self worth. The study uses the application of role in dramatherapy to identify, express and begin to reconfigure roles and sub-roles. It gives an honest account of personal challenges in relation to the (im)possibilities of brief therapy. Through two qualitative multiple case studies, the research focuses on two individuals in a group setting who differ in identity-related circumstances into addiction, the therapeutic process and how a psychodynamic dramatherapy role method can assist in the (re)creation of identity post addiction.