Reintegration of Women with Histories of Substance Abuse into Society

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U.S. policy toward individuals with substance abuse problems has relied on stigma, discrimination, and punishment, withholding access to education, cash assistance, housing, social supports, and normal social roles. This study investigates the relationship between social supports and participatory practices and the propensity of women with recent histories of substance abuse to affiliate with pro-social versus deviant lifestyles. Results reveal that higher levels of instrumental support, affective support, and participation in normal roles are statistically significant predictors of lower levels of criminal and drug using behaviors and that women perceive social supports and participation in normal roles of parent, employee, student, and citizen to be critical in facilitating their return to pro-social lifestyles. The author concludes that current policies that withhold support and access to fulfill normal societal roles do not increase the propensity for women to shed deviant identities and in fact may promote affiliation with deviance.