Prediction of Recidivism for Narcotic Addicts

• NCJ Number: 163254
• Author(s): J D Burkhead
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 231 pages
• Sale Source: UMI Dissertation Services
• Publication Type: Thesis/Dissertation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: DCC

Annotation

This doctoral dissertation, submitted to the University of Kentucky, seeks to present a theory to explain recidivism and to use it as a guideline for an empirical study of relapse among narcotic addicts.

Abstract

The paper is divided into seven chapters: (1) An Extension of Social Control Theory to Explain Recidivism, including discussion of the relation between personal and social controls, and recidivism and labeling theory; (2) Methodology, including limitations; (3) Involvement in the Drug Subculture and Recidivism, male/female and White/Black involvement; (4) Commitment to the Use of Drugs and Recidivism, male/female and White/Black commitment; (5) Attachment to Other Addicts and Recidivism; (6) Implications for Treatment, including theoretical considerations and techniques of treatment neutralization; and (7) Summary and Conclusions. Findings of the study indicate that involvement in a drug culture, commitment to continued narcotics use, and attachment to fellow addicts are factors that promote relapse to narcotics following treatment. Footnotes, tables, appendixes, bibliography