Methods which enhanced the representation of experiences of recovery and addiction in animation

Abstract

This discussion considers qualitative and practice methodology as part of a PhD animation project on addiction recovery. This article outlines the data collection process, considers the analysis to production, and illustrate benefits of multi-method research in production. Collaborating with Aiséirí, a long-established addiction treatment service in Ireland, a qualitative study involving three focus groups with recoverees provided various Irish perspectives. The addition of arts-tools within these sessions provided supplementary insights, such as key journey points to recovery, representations of addiction, a cultural window to deeper understanding of the relationship to and perception of addiction and recovery, and visual research for animation development. The analysis worked in an iterative process with film development adapting a thematic analysis. Themes were then developed and created into two animated short films. This article uses examples from The Click (2021) which through its structure showcase 5 distinct journey points found from addiction to recovery