Spirituality.

Another interesting theme that arose from several of the conversations is what appears to be an affiliation or connection to something on a higher plane or different level than the links with other people. I classify this as a type of spirituality because it seems that a few of the participants are turning to elements of faith or a kind of higher order for comfort and guidance in their lives. Although only mentioned specifically by two of the adult participants, it appears that incorporating an element of faith to solve some of the problems in their lives provides these individuals with important emotional support and gives them a message of hope. One child also turns to her cherished bible when she is "cranky, miserable, seems everybody's picking on her." According to her mother, she "reads [the bible] on her own…she just goes up to her room, closes the door and reads…nd then she seems to be calmed down."

Michelle speaks about her involvement in a 12-Step Program to deal with her alcohol addiction in terms of the search for and discovery of meaning in life. Her comments suggest that she looks to a higher spiritual being to help her through her addiction with alcohol. In one interview, Michelle draws my attention to a favourite quote in her alcoholism program book borrowed from a song by the musical group, The Eagles, "Often times it happens when we live our lives in chains and we never even know we have the key."

In giving this line more thought, it occurs to me that the chains could easily be interpreted as a metaphor for Michelle's life. Perhaps at this point in her treatment program, Michelle has reached a spiritual plateau and is looking introspectively at her past life of physical, mental and emotional suffering as heavy chains that bound her. It is possible that her attraction to this quotation reveals that Michelle realizes that she is trapped by past circumstances and that she is beginning to understand how to improve her situation and her life circumstances. She is, quite likely, beginning to recognize that she has the key to the padlocks on the chains and could free herself from this bondage, heal herself and move on.