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It ain't easy: Obstacles in seeking social support among treated junkies in Hong Kong
Author(s)
Date Issued
2000
Citation
Cheung, Y. W. (2000). It ain't easy: Obstacles in seeking social support among treated junkies in Hong Kong. The Society for Applied Anthropology 2000 Annual Meeting, San Francisco, California.
Type
Conference Paper
Abstract
It is a common finding in drug addiction research that social support from family members and friends has a positive effect on the recovery of treated addicts. However, findings of a study of 200 treated heroin addicts in Hong Kong show that the relationship between family suppmt and drug free status in the first three-year post-treatment period is not statistically significant, and that the social circles of these
subjects mostly comprise recovered addicts in self-help groups. In-depth interviews of 10 recovered addicts reveal that in the initial period after treatment, they faced distrust and suspicion of family members and friends, due to the uncertainty of recovery. This is a "test -out" period for the treated
addicts, who will not receive full support from family and friends unless they can, in this period, convince their family members and friends that they are serious about, and are able to, stay drug free.
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