A phenomenological exploration of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in the recovery journey of a crack and methamphetamine addict: A case study

<p>Addiction remains a significant global mental health concern with serious consequences for individuals and their communities. Crack cocaine and methamphetamine are among the most harmful and addictive substances, often resulting in severe cognitive, emotional, and behavioural impairments. Despite the widespread need, access to effective treatment remains limited, with only a fraction of individuals receiving appropriate support. Traditional interventions have focused on abstinence or behavioural modification, but relapse rates continue to be high. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a third wave cognitive behavioural approach, has emerged as a promising intervention by promoting psychological flexibility, acceptance, and values based living. This study explores the lived experience of recovery from crack and methamphetamine addiction through the lens of ACT. Using a phenomenological framework, it investigates how the six core processes of ACT (acceptance, cognitive defusion, mindfulness, self as context, values clarification, and committed action) support change during addiction recovery. The study is based on a single case involving a 32 year old male, referred to pseudonymously as John, who engaged in ACT for six months after more than a decade of substance use and repeated relapse. Semi structured interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, revealing that John’s recovery journey was shaped by a gradual internalisation of ACT principles. Themes such as the transformation of acceptance from resistance to resilience, the use of humour as a personalised defusion technique, and the rediscovery of core values illustrate how ACT processes were experienced and adapted in his recovery context. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of how ACT functions in real life recovery from stimulant addiction and highlights the value of phenomenological methods in uncovering the complexity of therapeutic change.</p>