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Spaces of sobriety/sites of power: examining social model alcohol recovery programs as therapeutic landscapes

Spaces of sobriety/sites of power: examining social model alcohol recovery programs as therapeutic landscapes
Spaces of sobriety/sites of power: examining social model alcohol recovery programs as therapeutic landscapes
While there has been interest in geographical variations in alcohol use and their implications for health, similar attention has not been given to geographies of alcohol treatment and recovery. This paper is concerned with exploring these geographies of alcohol recovery and treatment. Specifically, the paper uses the therapeutic landscape concept coupled with Foucault’s concept of governmentality to frame a qualitative case study of a ‘social model’ recovery community in SanPedro, California. Analysis of the programs operating in San Pedro consisting of observation and interviews, demonstrates the complexity and contradictory character of such recovery landscapes. In particular, the governmentality perspective suggests that spaces created for alcohol recovery and support can be simultaneously understood as sites designed to govern the health-related conduct of individuals. Within programs, clients were provided with support and encouragement from staff and peers, but these same relations also made possible surveillance and the governing of daily routines. In the neighbourhood, program staff intervened to create ‘healthy’ spaces but these interventions also shaped the conduct of local residents and contributed to the spatial regulation of problem groups. While a focus on governmentality does not preclude recognition of the positive effects associated with therapeutic landscapes, it does provide an opportunity for further consideration of the complexities underlying such environments.
alcohol recovery, therapeutic landscapes, alcoholics anonymous, governmentality, usa, 12-steps, california
0277-9536
649-661
Wilton, Robert
5e93c44a-c4b8-4fc1-80a4-1c9cf4c561b6
DeVerteuil, Geoffrey
22636102-b1c3-47fc-936a-f370dd6d5856
Wilton, Robert
5e93c44a-c4b8-4fc1-80a4-1c9cf4c561b6
DeVerteuil, Geoffrey
22636102-b1c3-47fc-936a-f370dd6d5856

Wilton, Robert and DeVerteuil, Geoffrey (2006) Spaces of sobriety/sites of power: examining social model alcohol recovery programs as therapeutic landscapes. Social Science & Medicine, 63 (3), 649-661. (doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2006.01.022).

Record type: Article

Abstract

While there has been interest in geographical variations in alcohol use and their implications for health, similar attention has not been given to geographies of alcohol treatment and recovery. This paper is concerned with exploring these geographies of alcohol recovery and treatment. Specifically, the paper uses the therapeutic landscape concept coupled with Foucault’s concept of governmentality to frame a qualitative case study of a ‘social model’ recovery community in SanPedro, California. Analysis of the programs operating in San Pedro consisting of observation and interviews, demonstrates the complexity and contradictory character of such recovery landscapes. In particular, the governmentality perspective suggests that spaces created for alcohol recovery and support can be simultaneously understood as sites designed to govern the health-related conduct of individuals. Within programs, clients were provided with support and encouragement from staff and peers, but these same relations also made possible surveillance and the governing of daily routines. In the neighbourhood, program staff intervened to create ‘healthy’ spaces but these interventions also shaped the conduct of local residents and contributed to the spatial regulation of problem groups. While a focus on governmentality does not preclude recognition of the positive effects associated with therapeutic landscapes, it does provide an opportunity for further consideration of the complexities underlying such environments.

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More information

Published date: March 2006
Keywords: alcohol recovery, therapeutic landscapes, alcoholics anonymous, governmentality, usa, 12-steps, california
Organisations: Economy Culture & Space, PHEW – C (Care)

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 47012
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/47012
ISSN: 0277-9536
PURE UUID: 40638c3e-9c13-4eb9-82e0-ce3aaaf905b6

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Date deposited: 20 Jul 2007
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 09:30

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Contributors

Author: Robert Wilton
Author: Geoffrey DeVerteuil

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