Publication Date

2018

First Advisor

Michael Murphy

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Study Type

Qualitative

Degree Name

Master of Social Work

Department

School for Social Work

Keywords

US veterans, Substance use/misuse, Addiction, Recovery, Moral injury

Abstract

This explorative/descriptive study investigates veterans’ stories of substance use/misuse, recovery, and moral injury. 12 male veterans participated in semi-structured interviews and answered questions about how their motivations for substance use/misuse and recovery changed prior to, during, and after their military service. Participants were also asked if they experienced moral injury while in the military, and if this precipitated or motivated substance use/misuse. The purpose of this study was to determine how the military impacts a veteran’s substance use/misuse and recovery. Qualitative research on moral injury is minimal, and this study aimed to address that gap in the literature. The study found that a majority of participants increased their substance use/misuse during and after military service, and that a majority of combat veterans experienced moral injury, noting that their substance use/misuse was motivated by their moral injury experiences. Implications for social work policy, practice, and future research are discussed.

Rights

©2018 Chelsea Faria.

Language

English

Comments

iv, 194 pages. Includes bibliographical references (pages 168-178)

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Psychology Commons

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