Degree Date

5-2026

Document Type

Dissertation - Public Access

Degree Name

Ph.D. Doctor of Philosophy

Academic Discipline

Psychology

First Advisor

Judah Viola, Ph.D

Second Advisor

Brad Olsen, Ph.D

Third Advisor

Lauretta Omale, Ph.D

Abstract

This qualitative study examines the lived experiences of African American individuals residing in historically redlined communities in Chicago who are maintaining sobriety using harm reduction strategies. Grounded in the context of structural inequities, the study explores how social determinants of health, including limited healthcare access, transportation barriers, and community disinvestment, shape recovery pathways. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals in sustained recovery and providers, and the data were analyzed using inductive and deductive thematic approaches. Findings indicate that recovery is an ongoing process influenced by environmental exposure, trauma, and access to support systems.

Participants identified harm reduction strategies, such as relapse prevention, peer support, and behavioral interventions, as essential for sustaining sobriety. A significant disparity in access to harm reduction services emerged, particularly on Chicago’s South Side, where resources were described as limited or nonexistent. Themes of geographic service clustering, environmental triggers, and the need for community-based interventions were central to recovery experiences. This study highlights the importance of contextually grounded harm reduction approaches and suggests that environmental separation from high-risk settings supports long-term recovery outcomes.

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