NCJ Number
130989
Date Published
1991
Length
242 pages
Annotation
Drawing on a growing body of studies of drug users conducted by sociologists and anthropologists, this study integrates their findings into a theoretically unified sociocultural explanation of heroin use and discusses implications of the theory for heroin addiction treatment and heroin regulation.
Abstract
The theory, which derives primarily from the insights of symbolic-interactionist and role theory, posits that there is a street subculture of heroin users. The chief role in this subculture -- the street addict role -- becomes a blueprint for living for many heroin users. Addicts are heavily committed to this role and organize their behavior and self-concept around it. From this basic concept, the theory explains how persons become and remain addicts and how they may modify their addictive behavior. The author proposes that treatment become a time for the addict to think about the addictive street lifestyle. It should also expose the addict to persons who are not dependent on drugs and to the opportunity to explore alternative nonaddict roles. Therapeutic communities that feature self-help adult resocialization are the most effective for those most committed to giving up the street addict lifestyle. To be effective, treatment programs must address the larger social and cultural context in which the addict has operated. A criminal justice approach to the heroin addict is not likely to be effective. Chapter notes, 210 references, a name index, and a subject index