Title

Social identities and response to treatment for alcohol and cocaine abuse

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Summer 1996

Publication Title

Addictive Behaviors

Department

African American Studies

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between social identities and response to treatment for alcohol and/or cocaine abuse. Individuals who reported more valued (i.e., positive and important) social identities were expected to have better treatment outcomes. Fortyfive participants were interviewed at treatment entry and at 3 and 6 months after starting treatment. The number of valued identities increased between treatment entry and 3 months. Participants with a greater number of valued identities at treatment entry were more likely to be abstinent at 3 months. Participants who reported more interference between substance use and valued identities were also more likely to be abstinent at 3 months, suggesting a possible motivational mechanism for the link between identities and response to treatment. Neither number of valued identities nor conflict between substance use and identities predicted abstinence between 3 and 6 months. Interaction effects, specific identities, and protective and motivational functions of social identities are discussed.

ISSN

0306-4603

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