Papers by Jane Rowley
What more can we do to support Ex Services personnel? An investigation into Post Traumatic Growth... more What more can we do to support Ex Services personnel? An investigation into Post Traumatic Growth and the role of Expert Companions
The RECOVEU project brings together partners from the United Kingdom, Cyprus, Romania, Italy and
... more The RECOVEU project brings together partners from the United Kingdom, Cyprus, Romania, Italy and
Ireland with the aim of developing access to learning resources for people in recovery from
addiction1
. This policy and practice review seeks to support project partners to develop a more
nuanced understanding of the impact of drug policy and EU strategy in each of the partner
countries, with a particular emphasis on how this influences practice in drug treatment. The aim was
not to replicate the existing evidence base but use it as a foundation to develop a thematic approach
to the overall project. With this in mind, RECOVEU partners have completed individual reviews of
current drug policy and reflected on practice in their own country. In order to reflect on similar
issues a structured questionnaire was developed which drew on the European Monitoring Centre for
Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) Structured Questionnaire 28 on Social Reintegration and
Reduction of Social Exclusion of Drug Users (EMCDDA, 2012). The review draws, therefore, on both
existing data (for example, National Focal Point data2
) and the experiential knowledge of the
partners working in the field of addiction. This process has facilitated the development of a thematic
framework to inform future work and, most importantly, gain a shared understanding of some of the
contextual and structural issues affecting each partner. As we complete this review (October 2014)
the EU Commission on Narcotic Drugs (EUCND) met in Vienna to discuss their input into the United
Nations General Assembly special session. The consensus was to support an increased focus on the
international drug control framework3
. In the RECOVEU project the partner countries do not have
forced labour in place of drug treatment or the death penalty but this is not the case around the
world. As such, we are fortunate to be developing resources with people in recovery that aid their
access to adult education and an opportunity to make positive changes in their lives.
A newsletter published by Soilse Drug Service in Ireland
A review of Policy & Practice in 5 EU countries around addiction recovery and access to education... more A review of Policy & Practice in 5 EU countries around addiction recovery and access to education.
This paper was written collaboratively as part of the RECOVEU research project. We are working to explore how people in Addiction Recovery would like to access Higher Education, formal and informal learning opportunities as a way of sustaining recovery. www.recoveu.org for more information on our project.
Conference Presentations by Jane Rowley
Poster presentation about Addiction Recovery & Access to Education RECOVEU project update www.rec... more Poster presentation about Addiction Recovery & Access to Education RECOVEU project update www.recoveu.org
Thesis Chapters by Jane Rowley
Doctoral Thesis Abstract: Addiction Recovery & Adult Education
This study is an in-depth analysis... more Doctoral Thesis Abstract: Addiction Recovery & Adult Education
This study is an in-depth analysis of the stories shared by six men who defined themselves as being in addiction recovery. I asked them what they had to say about entering education and learning as an adult who was also in recovery from addiction. Although the study was not initially set up in that way, these men form part of what has been termed a hidden population, a largely unexplored group of people who have recovered from addiction with little or no intervention from statutory drug services. The study takes a narrative analysis life history approach to the stories of these men, focusing on the development of habitual addiction and their subsequent recovery. Each participant was interviewed twice and asked to describe their route to addiction, how they entered recovery and their experience of learning as an adult. The data generated was first analysed using an emergent coding method which identified a broad spectrum of themes and some commonalties in the men’s stories. Then theories of social capital and communities of practice were used as a lens to explore the two most prominent themes. The first of these was the way the men were introduced to new experiences which enabled them to bridge gaps between their lives as addicts, as learners and as people in recovery. The second theme was how this bridging process led to affiliation to different networks and communities of practice where the men learnt to use skills, knowledge and experiences acquired throughout their lives to further sustain recovery and ultimately help others starting this journey. Recovery is uniquely defined by the individual, however it became evident in this study that some people have similar trajectories both when considering the length of addiction careers and the role of adult education and training as they entered a new stage in life. The participants in this study were not connected in terms of geography, socio-economic status or entry into alcohol or other drug use, but the stories they have shared resonate together in that each of them were supported, sometimes briefly and sometimes over an extended period, by individuals or groups of individuals who made timely suggestions, comments or offered knowledge with the gift of a book. These moments of human connection, often related to learning, seem to have been most profound in aiding these men to sustain recovery and respect for themselves. Throughout this thesis I have worked to make the language and my approach to the writing accessible to readers unfamiliar with academic writing. At the forefront of my mind throughout this process have been the men who shared these stories with me and making accessible the analysis I have undertaken to a wider audience.
Books by Jane Rowley
Approaches to Drug and Alcohol Problems: Action on Addiction provides a pathway through the field... more Approaches to Drug and Alcohol Problems: Action on Addiction provides a pathway through the field of addiction, giving a clear description of points along that path, from the beginning of problematic use of drugs and alcohol, to treatment, support, recovery and reintegration in society.
The book illustrates the principle of integrated approaches to tackling the rise in problems with addiction.
Uploads
Papers by Jane Rowley
Ireland with the aim of developing access to learning resources for people in recovery from
addiction1
. This policy and practice review seeks to support project partners to develop a more
nuanced understanding of the impact of drug policy and EU strategy in each of the partner
countries, with a particular emphasis on how this influences practice in drug treatment. The aim was
not to replicate the existing evidence base but use it as a foundation to develop a thematic approach
to the overall project. With this in mind, RECOVEU partners have completed individual reviews of
current drug policy and reflected on practice in their own country. In order to reflect on similar
issues a structured questionnaire was developed which drew on the European Monitoring Centre for
Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) Structured Questionnaire 28 on Social Reintegration and
Reduction of Social Exclusion of Drug Users (EMCDDA, 2012). The review draws, therefore, on both
existing data (for example, National Focal Point data2
) and the experiential knowledge of the
partners working in the field of addiction. This process has facilitated the development of a thematic
framework to inform future work and, most importantly, gain a shared understanding of some of the
contextual and structural issues affecting each partner. As we complete this review (October 2014)
the EU Commission on Narcotic Drugs (EUCND) met in Vienna to discuss their input into the United
Nations General Assembly special session. The consensus was to support an increased focus on the
international drug control framework3
. In the RECOVEU project the partner countries do not have
forced labour in place of drug treatment or the death penalty but this is not the case around the
world. As such, we are fortunate to be developing resources with people in recovery that aid their
access to adult education and an opportunity to make positive changes in their lives.
This paper was written collaboratively as part of the RECOVEU research project. We are working to explore how people in Addiction Recovery would like to access Higher Education, formal and informal learning opportunities as a way of sustaining recovery. www.recoveu.org for more information on our project.
Conference Presentations by Jane Rowley
Thesis Chapters by Jane Rowley
This study is an in-depth analysis of the stories shared by six men who defined themselves as being in addiction recovery. I asked them what they had to say about entering education and learning as an adult who was also in recovery from addiction. Although the study was not initially set up in that way, these men form part of what has been termed a hidden population, a largely unexplored group of people who have recovered from addiction with little or no intervention from statutory drug services. The study takes a narrative analysis life history approach to the stories of these men, focusing on the development of habitual addiction and their subsequent recovery. Each participant was interviewed twice and asked to describe their route to addiction, how they entered recovery and their experience of learning as an adult. The data generated was first analysed using an emergent coding method which identified a broad spectrum of themes and some commonalties in the men’s stories. Then theories of social capital and communities of practice were used as a lens to explore the two most prominent themes. The first of these was the way the men were introduced to new experiences which enabled them to bridge gaps between their lives as addicts, as learners and as people in recovery. The second theme was how this bridging process led to affiliation to different networks and communities of practice where the men learnt to use skills, knowledge and experiences acquired throughout their lives to further sustain recovery and ultimately help others starting this journey. Recovery is uniquely defined by the individual, however it became evident in this study that some people have similar trajectories both when considering the length of addiction careers and the role of adult education and training as they entered a new stage in life. The participants in this study were not connected in terms of geography, socio-economic status or entry into alcohol or other drug use, but the stories they have shared resonate together in that each of them were supported, sometimes briefly and sometimes over an extended period, by individuals or groups of individuals who made timely suggestions, comments or offered knowledge with the gift of a book. These moments of human connection, often related to learning, seem to have been most profound in aiding these men to sustain recovery and respect for themselves. Throughout this thesis I have worked to make the language and my approach to the writing accessible to readers unfamiliar with academic writing. At the forefront of my mind throughout this process have been the men who shared these stories with me and making accessible the analysis I have undertaken to a wider audience.
Books by Jane Rowley
The book illustrates the principle of integrated approaches to tackling the rise in problems with addiction.
Ireland with the aim of developing access to learning resources for people in recovery from
addiction1
. This policy and practice review seeks to support project partners to develop a more
nuanced understanding of the impact of drug policy and EU strategy in each of the partner
countries, with a particular emphasis on how this influences practice in drug treatment. The aim was
not to replicate the existing evidence base but use it as a foundation to develop a thematic approach
to the overall project. With this in mind, RECOVEU partners have completed individual reviews of
current drug policy and reflected on practice in their own country. In order to reflect on similar
issues a structured questionnaire was developed which drew on the European Monitoring Centre for
Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) Structured Questionnaire 28 on Social Reintegration and
Reduction of Social Exclusion of Drug Users (EMCDDA, 2012). The review draws, therefore, on both
existing data (for example, National Focal Point data2
) and the experiential knowledge of the
partners working in the field of addiction. This process has facilitated the development of a thematic
framework to inform future work and, most importantly, gain a shared understanding of some of the
contextual and structural issues affecting each partner. As we complete this review (October 2014)
the EU Commission on Narcotic Drugs (EUCND) met in Vienna to discuss their input into the United
Nations General Assembly special session. The consensus was to support an increased focus on the
international drug control framework3
. In the RECOVEU project the partner countries do not have
forced labour in place of drug treatment or the death penalty but this is not the case around the
world. As such, we are fortunate to be developing resources with people in recovery that aid their
access to adult education and an opportunity to make positive changes in their lives.
This paper was written collaboratively as part of the RECOVEU research project. We are working to explore how people in Addiction Recovery would like to access Higher Education, formal and informal learning opportunities as a way of sustaining recovery. www.recoveu.org for more information on our project.
This study is an in-depth analysis of the stories shared by six men who defined themselves as being in addiction recovery. I asked them what they had to say about entering education and learning as an adult who was also in recovery from addiction. Although the study was not initially set up in that way, these men form part of what has been termed a hidden population, a largely unexplored group of people who have recovered from addiction with little or no intervention from statutory drug services. The study takes a narrative analysis life history approach to the stories of these men, focusing on the development of habitual addiction and their subsequent recovery. Each participant was interviewed twice and asked to describe their route to addiction, how they entered recovery and their experience of learning as an adult. The data generated was first analysed using an emergent coding method which identified a broad spectrum of themes and some commonalties in the men’s stories. Then theories of social capital and communities of practice were used as a lens to explore the two most prominent themes. The first of these was the way the men were introduced to new experiences which enabled them to bridge gaps between their lives as addicts, as learners and as people in recovery. The second theme was how this bridging process led to affiliation to different networks and communities of practice where the men learnt to use skills, knowledge and experiences acquired throughout their lives to further sustain recovery and ultimately help others starting this journey. Recovery is uniquely defined by the individual, however it became evident in this study that some people have similar trajectories both when considering the length of addiction careers and the role of adult education and training as they entered a new stage in life. The participants in this study were not connected in terms of geography, socio-economic status or entry into alcohol or other drug use, but the stories they have shared resonate together in that each of them were supported, sometimes briefly and sometimes over an extended period, by individuals or groups of individuals who made timely suggestions, comments or offered knowledge with the gift of a book. These moments of human connection, often related to learning, seem to have been most profound in aiding these men to sustain recovery and respect for themselves. Throughout this thesis I have worked to make the language and my approach to the writing accessible to readers unfamiliar with academic writing. At the forefront of my mind throughout this process have been the men who shared these stories with me and making accessible the analysis I have undertaken to a wider audience.
The book illustrates the principle of integrated approaches to tackling the rise in problems with addiction.