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Table 3 Overview of the analytic process of the theme “Problematic issues related to TSG participation”, including codes, preliminary themes, and final themes

From: One size doesn’t fit all: a thematic analysis of interviews with people who have stopped participating in Narcotics Anonymous in Norway

Codes

Preliminary themes

Final themes

Difficulty with strategy, e.g., meeting format, sharing, step working

Double trouble (e.g., trauma and psychiatric co-morbidity) and the need for something more than or different from NA

Perceived negative focus (e.g., powerlessness, defects of character, demands of honesty to show willingness)

Everything is hinged on addiction

NA presented as the only solution to addiction

Strategy doesn’t fit

Explanatory model doesn’t fit

The model doesn’t fit

Negative experiences with sponsor

Anonymity breaches

Conformity pressure

Criticism is not welcomed

Seasoned members not living as they “teach”

Not able to live up to success criteria

Relapse and negative emotions

Negative experiences in the social environment

Perception of being a second-rate member

Negative experiences spurred frustration

Natural course of disengagement

Continued participation has no additional benefits

Participation limits quality of life

Ambivalence about breaking out

Life ought to be more than NA

Perceptions of being “stuck”

The safe place can become a cage