Insights into Self-Rehabilitation from Alcohol Dependency

ROAD TOWARDS ALCOHOL
INDEPENDENCY:
INSIGHTS OF SELF-REHABILITATION
Maria Angelica Samson123, Ronalyn Avila123, Frodito Blas Jr. 123, Elizabeth Matias123, Sophia
Salenga123, Armand Yobel Tongo123 and Ms. Trisha Joy O. Gotinga1234
1
Basic Education Department
2
Research Development and Innovation Center
3
Our Lady of Fatima University
4
Ms. Trisha Joy O. Gotinga, MA RPmRPsy
March 2018
ROAD TOWARDS ALCOHOL INDEPENDENCY: INSIGHTS…
Endorsement
This thesis entitled: “Road toward alcohol independency: Insights of self-rehabilitation”

prepared by Maria Angelica Samson, Elizabeth Matias, Ronalyn Avila, Sophia Salenga, Armand
Yobel Tongo, Frodito Blas Jr.of STEM 11-2 in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the
degree Basic Education - Senior High School has been examined and now recommended for Oral
Examination.
This is to certify that Maria Angelica Samson, et al. are ready for the Oral Examination.
Ms. Trisha Joy O. Gotinga, MA RPmRPsy

Adviser
This is to certify that the thesis: “Road towards Alcohol Independency: Insights to Self-
Rehabilitation” prepared and submitted by Maria Angelica Samson, Elizabeth Matias, Ronalyn
Avila, Sophia Salenga, Armand Yobel Tongo, Frodito Blas Jr. of STEM 11-2 is recommended for
Oral Examination/ has been examined by the panel of examiners with a grade of _____.
Name of Chairman, Title

Chairman
Name of panel, Title Name of panel, Title

Member Member
Name of Dean, Title

Dean, College
OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY BASIC EDUCATION

Certificate of Originality
We hereby declare that this thesis is our own work and that, to the best of my knowledge and
belief, it contains no material previously published or written by another person nor material to
which to a substantial extent has been accepted for award of any other degree or diploma of a
university or other institute of higher learning, except where due acknowledgement is made in the
text.
We also declare that the intellectual content of this thesis is the product of our work, even though
we may have received assistance from others on style, presentation and language expression.
Maria Angelica Samson

Principal Investigator
Members:
Ronalyn Avila
Frodito Blas Jr.
Elizabeth Matias
Sophia Salenga
Armand Yobel Tongo
Ms. Trisha Joy Gotinga, MA RPmRPsy

Research Adviser
Date Signed:
January 31, 2018

Table of Contents
Introduction xx
Theoretical Framework xx
Statement of the Problem xx

List of Tables
Table 1: Title of Table xx

List of Figures
Figure 1: Title of Figure xx

List of Appendices
Appendix A: Title of appendix xx

Abstract

1.0 Introduction
Alcoholism is found among all age, social, cultural, and different group. Some
common signs of alcoholism in the early stages are constant drinking for relief of personal
problems, an increase in a person’s tolerance for alcohol, onset of memory lapses while
drinking, (“blackouts”), surreptitious drinking, and an urgent need for the first drink
(“craving”). (American Medical Association, p.7).
Alcohol consumption is having 1 drink per day in women and 2 drinks per day for
men (Dietary Guidelines 2017) while alcohol dependence is characterized by persistent
alcohol seeking behavior (United Nations International Drug Control Program1997; 2006)
which often leads to a cycle of treatment and recovery. Because of this, alcohol dependence
has been viewed alcohol use disorder (alcoholism). In United States almost 17.6 million
people or 1 in every 12 adults, suffer from alcohol abuse or dependence along with several
million more who engage in risky, binge drinking pattern that could lead to alcohol
problems. However, evidence from research and self-help literature suggests that alcohol
dependent persons can recover from alcohol dependency. (Biernacki 1986; Prins 1995;
McIntosh and McKeganey 2000; Alcoholics Anonymous 2007; Laudet 2007).
This research’s purpose is to highlight the need for better understanding of the ways
to recover from alcohol dependency and to spread awareness on ways and options on how
to remove oneself from the influence of alcohol. This study attempts to contribute to the
understanding of recovery from dependent alcohol use by exploring the experience of a
user. A qualitative design has been used to study an in-depth exploration of the process of
recovery of a person who suffered and succeed to recover from alcohol dependency. This
research will explain the ways, options and stepping stones of a person who is alcohol
dependent.
This research study is beneficial as it will give knowledge on the concept of

recovering from alcohol dependency, the treatments, ways and recovery process that an
alcohol dependent user must take to deprive themselves fully from alcohol’s influence. This
research aims to inspire other alcohol users and enlighten them on what ways are effective
and what are the things that can contribute to their recovery and in depriving themselves
from alcohol dependency. This research will also provide insights and ways to avoid being
alcohol dependent, when you can say you are alcohol dependent and remove themselves
from the influence of alcohol.
2.0 Theoretical Framework
Alcohol is a huge problem in the world today. It was known as man’s first drug
(Monroe, 1994, p.5). And now alcoholism is the number one drug problem in the United
States. (Monroe, 1994, p.17). Alcoholism is considered as a disease that affects millions of
people (Wekesser, 1994, p.17). “No other drug is used more widely or is more frequently

fatal than alcohol” (Welin, 1987, p.C-1). An alcohol user who abstains from drinking,
however, can regain control over the aspects of life with which alcohol interfered. The
alcoholic is then said to be “recovering” not “cured” of the disease. It is important to note
that the particular symptoms and pattern of drinking problems may vary with the
individual.
Alcohol dependent users are increasing nowadays, approximately 1 in every 10

person has a drinking problem. Alcohol dependency has a lot of effects toward the person,
his behavior, his friends and daily lives. It is also one of the causes of accident and death
every year (World Health Organization). But then, alcohol dependent person can be cured
and recover from alcohol dependency (Biernacki 1986; Prins 1995; McIntosh and
McKeganey 2000; Alcoholics Anonymous 2007; Laudet 2007). Recovery of dependent
alcohol users must be by durability, for it has 3 stages’ early stage (less than 1 year),
continuing (1-5 years) and long term (over 5 years) (White 2007). Recovery can take in
different forms, and responses to alcohol recovery can differ considerably around the world
(World HealthOrganization 1993) but the user’s limited choice of treatments and goals can
negatively impact their treatment and recovery outcome (Thornton, Gottheil,
Gellens&Alterman, 1997).
Recovery has also been described as occurring through a process of stages and
variety of stages for recovery for substance dependence (Klingemann 1994). According to
‘Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book’ (2007) there is a 12-step principle that tackles the root of
alcoholism and ways to resolve the problem. But recovery differs from each user or person.
Stress often drives us to do things that may reduce stress and sometimes it results in abuse
of substances and comfort that makes our body get used to that substance that results in
addiction. (Dallman et al. 2005; Koob and Le Moal 1997; Koob 2003).
An alcohol user who abstains from drinking, however, can regain control over the
aspects of life with which alcohol interfered. The alcoholic is then said to be “recovering”
not “cured” of the disease. It is important to note that the particular symptoms and pattern
of drinking problems may vary with the individual.
2.1. Problem Statements
The main question guiding the study is, “What are the ways to recover from alcohol
dependency?” other research questions are as follows:
1. What are the roles of family and peers in their recovery from alcohol
dependency?
2. What are the things that deprive you from the influence of alcohol?
3. How did you recover from alcohol dependency?

3.0 Research Method
3.1 Research Design
This research will be using a qualitative case study design which focuses the ways
on how to refrain from drinking alcohol and what are the factors that helps to make the
recovery easier by the experiences that an alcohol dependent person before gone through
in the process of refraining from drinking alcohol through its self-rehabilitation process.
3.2 Research Locale
The participants informants of this study came from Sauyo, Quezon City area. The
interview will be conducted at Fairview Terraces, Quezon City. This study offered an
opportunity for the researcher to study and know the other ways to overcome the alcohol
dependency. The key informant of this study passed the criteria given by the researcher.
3.3 Key Informant Selection
A Non-Probability Sampling Technique was used in this study specifically the

purposive sampling. A purposive sampling technique is a technique where researchers sets
a criteria for their key informants and uses their good judgment in selecting and the one
who will meet the best in the given criteria will be the use for the study of the research.
The researchers selected one key informant that will be used in this study. This
informant has met the following criteria given by the researchers: first, the informant that is
used in this study is an alcohol dependent before. Second, the informant is an alcohol
independent for almost 5 years and above. third, the informant should not used any medical
medicine or came to any of rehabilitation center but only self-rehabilitation process.
The researchers selected informant was at least an alcohol independent for 5 years
and above because according to G. Nathalee Serrels, M.A., Psychology when you achieved 5
years of being alcohol independent you have low risk of 15% of having some relapse.
3.4 Research Ethics

Road towards alcohol independency: Insight of self-rehabilitation study lead by
researchers is analysis of alcohol independency that aims to explore the insight of a person
that has gone through rehabilitation. This study will help the people who want to know the
effects of alcohol to an individual and share the experience of the key informant who
undergo self-rehabilitation that may help other to withdraw from drinking alcohol.
The research is guided by legal and ethical principles. The researchers give research
consent to the key informant to prevent encountering obstacles in the process of conducting
the interview. The informed consent given by the researchers will clarify the
responsibilities and obligations of the researchers during the process of interview.

The key informant is given a privilege to refuse some questions given by the
researchers. The researchers are responsible to the anonymity of the key informant. The
interview that is conducted is audio recorded with the consent of the key informant. The
citations of information in this research are revised and any content of this research is not
plagiarized.
3.5 Research Instrument
The instrument that is used in this study is a personal interview with informant.
The interview is guided by an open-ended question which allows the informants to share its
own response. It encourages the informant to express its answer using its own knowledge
and feelings. The researchers provide (three) research questions that will help in gathering
data about the process, ways and experiences that the informant undergoes.
3.6 Data Collection
This study used primary data collection procedure. Primary data were collected
through interview with the key informant. The researchers let the informant to decide
where the interview will be conducted. Then after setting the location, the researchers
would ask a set of questions about the personal information followed by a sets of questions
raised by researchers that would answer the main problem of the study.The interview
conducted was recorded and used for further study about the given information of the
informant.
3.7 Data Analysis
Data analysis in qualitative data refers to the process of managing data and
interpreting it. (Ritchie and Lewis 2003). The analytic approach adopted for this was a
qualitative process that involves breaking down of data in segments so it can be examined,
organized and categorized to obtain the main feature at data (Simons 2009).
Qualitative researches need certain aids and tools to carry out an analysis for full
investigation levels (Spencer et al. 2003). Several features are provided for a structure
allowing ideas and concepts to be presented, facilitated, and ordered and data gathering
after data. Tools also permit the analysis of data such as interviews, document, and
observations and allow flexibility in the manipulation of data allowing findings to be
accessible to others. (Spencer 2003)
For example in an analysis of how the recovery was experienced, one of the themes
identified was God as an inspiration, similar experiences of how God inspires and how this
helps in recovering from alcohol independence was described and explored. Further
discussions of the findings in the light of previous findings and related themes were made
correlatively.

4.0 Results
These are the findings gathered from the key informant.

The emerging themes and categories for these are presented in that reflects the
chapter organization in order to allow the reader to follow or locate the findings.
4.1 Roles of his family and peers in the recovery
The key informant considered his own family as his inspiration in withdrawing from
alcohol. His wife and children helped and inspired him to avoid drinking alcohol though it
was hard at first. He started withdrawing alcohol on his cold 30, 2 months before his son
was born. His reason was to be able to take care of his family for a long time; according to
him alcohol can be one of the reasons that can hinder him from enjoying a long life with his
own family.
4.2 Family background
There is no greater outside influence than that of the family. Family are the ones
who greatly affect their children’s behavior, family is the model of everything- negative or
positive (R. Erickson, 2017).
The key informant described his family as heavy drinkers, and because of that he
started to drink alcohol in a very young age to train himself in the tolerating alcohol.
“Family talaga kami ng heavy drinkers, so maaga akong na-train para, you can handle
yourself outside (drinking alcohol)” (We really are a family of heavy drinkers, so I was
trained early to handle myself outside in drinking alcohol). –Astrid
Parents play a critical role in their children’s introduction to alcohol, their range of
parenting factors have been associated with the progression of drinking among adolescents
(C. Giligan & K. Kypri, 2012). Parent’s own use of alcohol is related to adolescents’
consumption of alcohol (Quinne and Stephenson, 1990).
4.3 Social reaction
It was hard for him to be an alcohol independent at first because he belongs to the
society of heavy drinkers. Temptation from drinking alcohol was one of the common
reasons that made it hard for him to totally withdraw from drinking alcohol, but as the time
goes by he got used of his ways to avoid the temptations of drinking alcohol. He managed to
lessen the bottles of alcohol he consumed every time he drinks.

4.4 Future Plans
He want to have a long life with his family and to take care of them and also to be an
alcohol independent not just for his family but also for himself to have a healthy lifestyle
because as he quoted;
"For health reasons, syempre hindi naman pwedeng uminom habang buhay." (For
health reasons, because you can’t really drink (alcohol) for the rest of you life) -Astrid
It showed the sincerity of the key informant to be an alcohol independent not just
for his loved ones but also for himself.
4.5. Purpose to deprive from alcohol dependency
Alcohol dependent users have purpose to deprive themselves fully from the
influence of the alcohol. It may be family, friend, loved ones, God or anything that are firm
enough to be a purpose that may drive you to remove yourself from the influence of the
alcohol.
The key informant stated that his purpose to withdraw from alcohol was his own
family, health and his future with them.
“Nag-quit ako bago manganak ang misis ko sa second son ko… health reasons din
syempre, di naman pwedeng uminom habang buhay. Gusto ko ding mabuhay ng matagal eh
para sa family ko.” (I quitted before my wife delivered my second son… for health reasons
also, you can’t drink for the rest of your life. I want to live longer for my family). –Astrid
Family being one of the people who inspires and motivates you to do something
creative or beneficial to others or yourself (R. Harris, 2016). Family is the main reason of
the key informant to remove himself from the influence of alcohol that made his decision
beneficial for both himself and his family.
4.6 Indulge yourself to your family.
As what the key informant had done to be an alcohol independent he start indulged
himself to his own family and he became inspired and motivated by them, from there, he
realized that having a long life is important and drinking alcohol is a hinder to achieve it.
4.7 Lessen the alcohol intake.
Removing yourself from anything that has been part of your everyday life doesn’t
come overnight, it requires a lot of patience and struggles to achieve, just like the key
informant’s journey to alcohol independency. He started when he was a teenager and on his
cold 30’s he started to withdraw from it slowly, lessening the alcohol intake each time he

drinks until his body got used to the small amount of the alcohol he intake. Refraining
yourself from alcohol doesn’t happen overnight, you must understand that it may take
weeks, months or years. Lessen the alcohol intake every time you drink is one of the ways to
remove yourself from alcohol dependency.
4.8 Find inspiration.
The key informant considered his own family as his inspiration in withdrawing
from alcohol. His family motivated and helped him in his journey to be an alcohol
independent person. You can start depriving yourself from the alcohol when you find
another source of inspiration and you have set a goal not just for yourself but also for your
loved ones.
4.9 Care for your future.
The key informant wanted to have a long life with his family, and to take care of
them, having this reason he was motivated to continue from withdrawing from alcohol.
4.10 Help yourself.
The process of alcohol withdrawing won’t happen if you don’t help yourself to
endure the challenges that will come your way. A lot of challenges may happen as you
withdraw, you may experience cravings, and gatherings that you will be required to drink,
but setting a goal for yourself to stop and endure all the challenges that will come your way
will be a good foundation in slowly removing yourself from alcohol dependency. The key
informant helped himself whenever he was asked to drink by his co-workers, friends and
family even if they are special and important event in his life. Helping yourself to overcome
and setting the goal to really overcome from dependency is a way to overcome the influence
of alcohol.
5.0 Moderatum Generalization
This case study shows that the process of withdrawing from alcohol dependency is
not as different as withdrawing from other things that you got dependent to but rather
more complex. The process may change and vary depending on the dependent person, and
the events that occur along the way may change the whole process or progress that
happened. Thus, it creates a more complex process and change in progress to the alcohol
dependent person and his environment.
The key informant is an alcohol dependent considering that he drinks more than 2
bottles, 3 to 4 times a week and had actually been used to drinking in such a manner within
the process of him training himself to handle his alcohol tolerance in his young age. It is
evident that the most influential reason in his drinking manner is his family’s influence that
later on fades away because of his own inspiration and reasons to decline from alcohol

dependency. To maintain the process of removing himself from the influence of alcohol, he
evolved himself to the inspiration and motivation he had to keep him going.
The four stages that surfaced in the study – Inclination stage, Depending stage,
Withdrawing stage, Independency stage – involves the overall processes that occurs in the
alcohol dependency withdrawal.
During the inclination stage, the user is drinking alcohol because of just training
himself to handle his alcohol tolerance, in which the inclination grew to hunger that results
in the second stage,
Dependency stage, in here, the user didn’t realize that he is slowly finding the alcohol
in his system and the thirst for it is slowly growing. He drinks here more than 24 bottles of
alcohol, 3 to 4 times a week. Having this kind of drinking manner, the user is slowly
neglecting his responsibilities and duties that results in many misunderstanding within his
family.
Withdrawing stage, having family issues and stress because of alcohol dependency,
the user realized that the alcohol is the root of the conflict, having his family, future and
health as inspiration he is slowly learning to decline himself from the alcohol’s influence,
finding ways to limit himself slowly with the help of his own family.
Independency stage, in this last stage, because the user overcame the alcohol
dependency with the help of his own family and other things that motivated and inspired
him along the way, the user has successfully reached his 5th year being an alcohol
independent person. Clearly showing that alcohol dependent users can recover slowly from
alcohol’s influence is they would just find a way, inspiration and motivation to do so.
6.0. Reflection
The process of this study is a big challenge to the researchers. It is not just because
doing research is a lot of work but also because we will be studying a life experience of a
man. Analyzing and interpreting the data by setting aside subjectivity is a total challenge.
Doing this research offered contribution not just in alcohol dependent users but also in our
perspective of alcohol withdrawal. Withdrawing is as hard as moving on from a broken
heart. It is not a simple thing to interpret but worth studying for.
“Never underestimate a recovering alcohol dependent. They fight for their lives every day in
ways most people will never understand.”

Insights into Self-Rehabilitation from Alcohol Dependency

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ROAD TOWARDS ALCOHOL

This thesis entitled: “Road toward alcohol independency: Insights of self-rehabilitation”

Ms. Trisha Joy O. Gotinga, MA RPmRPsy

Name of Chairman, Title

Name of panel, Title Name of panel, Title

Name of Dean, Title

OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY BASIC EDUCATION

Maria Angelica Samson

Ms. Trisha Joy Gotinga, MA RPmRPsy

OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY BASIC EDUCATION

OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY BASIC EDUCATION

Table 1: Title of Table xx

OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY BASIC EDUCATION

Figure 1: Title of Figure xx

OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY BASIC EDUCATION

Appendix A: Title of appendix xx

OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY BASIC EDUCATION

OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY BASIC EDUCATION

This research study is beneficial as it will give knowledge on the concept of

2.0 Theoretical Framework

OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY BASIC EDUCATION

Alcohol dependent users are increasing nowadays, approximately 1 in every 10

2.1. Problem Statements

OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY BASIC EDUCATION

3.0 Research Method

3.1 Research Design

3.2 Research Locale

3.3 Key Informant Selection

A Non-Probability Sampling Technique was used in this study specifically the

3.4 Research Ethics

OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY BASIC EDUCATION

3.5 Research Instrument

3.6 Data Collection

3.7 Data Analysis

OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY BASIC EDUCATION

These are the findings gathered from the key informant.

4.1 Roles of his family and peers in the recovery

4.2 Family background

4.3 Social reaction

OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY BASIC EDUCATION

4.4 Future Plans

4.5. Purpose to deprive from alcohol dependency

4.6 Indulge yourself to your family.

4.7 Lessen the alcohol intake.

OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY BASIC EDUCATION

4.8 Find inspiration.

4.9 Care for your future.

4.10 Help yourself.

5.0 Moderatum Generalization

OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY BASIC EDUCATION

OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY BASIC EDUCATION

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