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Cultural Authenticity And Recovery Maintenance In A Rural First Nation Community, Aimee Nygaard

Aboriginal Policy Research Consortium International (APRCi)

This study explored a rural, First Nation understanding of factors, particularly the role of culture, supporting recovery maintenance from problem substance use. A cross- sectional, qualitative research design and community-based methodology were used. Participants included 20 members of a rural Canadian community self-identifying as recovering, or recovered, problem substance users, and those with professional experience with First Nations recovery. Semi-structured, open-ended interviews gathered in-depth accounts of the recovery experience examined through a thematic analysis. Culture emerged as a contested concept, and was viewed along a spectrum from detrimental, to somewhat helpful to very beneficial in the recovery process. Community change …