The potential of the commonplace: A sociological study of emotions, identity and therapeutic change.
OBJECTIVE
To explore aspects of treatment clients identify as having had a positive effect on their process of change.


METHODS
The first author conducted data collection for one year through both participant observation and interviews.


RESULTS
Certain, apparently commonplace, informal interaction situations appear to constitute emotionally moving and identity-constructing contexts that have a significant impact on clients. These are situations in which new, ''straight'' identities can be proffered, tried out and explored. The situations in question seem to move clients, emotionally, mentally and biographically in a positive direction.


CONCLUSIONS
The process of change is presented as an upside-down version of the traditional labelling theory: if normal people can be labeled as deviants, deviants can be re-labeled as normal. This study concludes that commonplace interactions are powerful labeling situations. These situations seem at first glance to be trivial, superficial and very common. Still, and perhaps because of their ''smallness'', they are identified as authentic and thereby trustworthy contributors to new narratives of worthy selves.
SIRUS - The Norwegian Institute for Alcohol and Drug Research, Oslo, Norway. ahs@sirus.no
Astrid
A
Skatvedt
Kirsten Costain
KC
Schou
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D003142:Communication; D004644:Emotions; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012951:Socialization; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation