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Diary reports on emotional experiences in the onset of a psychosocial transition: becoming drug‐free
Author(s) -
Ravenna Marcella,
Hölzl Erik,
Costarelli Sandro,
Kirchler Erich,
Palmonari Augusto
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of community and applied social psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.042
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1099-1298
pISSN - 1052-9284
DOI - 10.1002/casp.607
Subject(s) - psychosocial , psychology , situational ethics , addiction , context (archaeology) , therapeutic community , heroin , interpersonal communication , social environment , drug , clinical psychology , psychiatry , social psychology , psychotherapist , sociology , paleontology , social science , biology
The process of becoming drug free is viewed as a psychosocial transition in the life of drug addicts. A specific form of treatment of heroin addiction within residential communities is based on the importance of interpersonal relationships for change. Well‐being of 65 drug addicts during the first 2 weeks in a residential community is explored using a time‐sampling diary which was completed four times a day. The influence of subjects' history, situational context, and motive activation on well‐being and emotions is investigated. Results show that well‐being and emotions differ mainly according to subjects' history, but not — at least at the beginning of treatment within the community — according to situations. This is interpreted as a ‘state of shock’ in the new environment and highlights the necessity for special individual care for subjects with a long drug career. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.