Login | Register

The constitution of entrepreneurial subjects : the alignment of Narcotics Anonymous and neoliberalism

Title:

The constitution of entrepreneurial subjects : the alignment of Narcotics Anonymous and neoliberalism

Lyons, Tara (2005) The constitution of entrepreneurial subjects : the alignment of Narcotics Anonymous and neoliberalism. Masters thesis, Concordia University.

[thumbnail of MR04334.pdf]
Preview
Text (application/pdf)
MR04334.pdf - Accepted Version
4MB

Abstract

Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is the most widely used and accepted drug treatment program in North America. Despite its popularity, there is little research and literature on this twelve-step recovery program. In this thesis I argue that NA is aligned with neoliberal political rationalities, which are involved in promoting specific forms of individual responsibility and self-government in the construction of 'addict' subjectivities. Specifically, I argue that NA is a technology of the self that requires 'addicts' to transform their selves, through techniques of the self, into 'recovering addicts' in order to achieve recovery. These arguments are elaborated upon through a discourse analysis of the Narcotics Anonymous Basic Text and a governmentality theoretical framework. Specifically, I use Foucault's modes of objectification to explore four ways by which people in NA are turned into subjects (scientific objectification, dividing practices, unifying practices and self-objectification). I highlight the two types of 'addict' subjectivities found in NA; the 'addict' and the 'recovering addict'. Using the examples of abstinence and confession, I demonstrate how NA instructs individuals to engage in techniques of the self in order to govern their selves according to the Twelve Steps of NA. I also discuss the centrality of the concept of freedom in this transformation and in NA in general.

Divisions:Concordia University > Faculty of Arts and Science > Sociology and Anthropology
Item Type:Thesis (Masters)
Authors:Lyons, Tara
Pagination:vii, 104 leaves ; 29 cm.
Institution:Concordia University
Degree Name:M.A.
Program:Sociology and Anthropology
Date:2005
Thesis Supervisor(s):de Courville Nicol, Valerie
Identification Number:RC 564 L96 2005
ID Code:8334
Deposited By: Concordia University Library
Deposited On:18 Aug 2011 18:22
Last Modified:13 Jul 2020 20:04
Related URLs:
All items in Spectrum are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved. The use of items is governed by Spectrum's terms of access.

Repository Staff Only: item control page

Downloads per month over past year

Research related to the current document (at the CORE website)
- Research related to the current document (at the CORE website)
Back to top Back to top