Speakers

Biography

Dr. Ety Elisha, Department of Criminology, the Max Stern Yezreel Valley College, Israel.

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a growing trend of integrating former incarcerated and addict people into peer-based programs in prison and in the community, referred as "wounded healers". Previous studies have pointed to many benefits of peer support, especially for aid providers. However, very little is known about former addict people who have "fallen" (i.e., relapsed) in their recovery journey, while holding peer support role. The present study seeks to fill the gap on the subject. The study participants were former addicts and ex-prisoners who managed to recover and engaged in peer support roles but relapsed into addiction. Some have managed to recover since then and get back on the recovery path. The analysis of the interviews indicates several key factors that lead to such a fall. The study will discuss these findings from the convict therapy and positive criminology perspectives.