Drug addiction and acute social maladjustment: subjective perspectives of women in treatment in regard to the initiation and progression of their drug consumption
Women with acute social maladjustment problems related to substance abuse were interviewed, five to eight years after a reference treatment. During these meetings, quantitative measurements were gathered. Objectives: This study was designed: 1) to describe, during their life history, the initiation and progression of their alcohol and drug consumption; 2) to describe the subjective perspective of these women in regard to factors associated with the development of their alcohol and drug consumption path during their lives. Method: As part of a more extensive study, among the 2667 clients admitted to a public drug addiction centre in Montreal for treatment between 1991 and 1995, 219 women were retained on the basis of their scores in the Drug Addiction Severity Index (ASI). Within this selected sub-group, 21 women were interviewed within the scope of a life history-type interview. The Drug Addiction Severity Index completed the data. A thematic qualitative analysis of the interview report was carried out using QSR NUD*IST software. Results: The history of the very first experience of alcohol or illegal drug use were characterized, at an early age, by the experience of relieving tensions in a family situation marked by multiple risk factors, such as various forms of maltreatment. The role of the mother, the influence of a love partner and psychological distress are important components raised by these women in explaining the progression of their consumption. The study was completed by clinical recommendations.