Influences Affecting Maintenance and Cessation of Narcotics Addiction

Abstract

A sample of 354 narcotics addicts remanded to the California Civil Addict Program (CAP) in 1962–64 was followed for over twenty-four years. Self-report data collected at initial treatment admission and in two follow-up interviews (1974–75 and 1985–86) included information on family history, patterns of drug use and criminal involvement, and other behaviors. The sample was classified into four exclusive groups: Winners (N=59), who had been abstinent from narcotics and other serious drug use and had not been involved in criminal activity during the thirty-six-month period prior to interview; Striving addicts (N=46), who had been abstinent from narcotics use, but not necessarily other drugs, and had no incarceration for a period of twelve months prior to interview; Enduring addicts (N=146), who had used narcotics and typically other drugs within the prior 12-month period, but had avoided incarceration; and Incarcerated addicts (N=103), incarcerated at some time during the twelve-month period, and whose drug use was varied. Winners had generally negative familial experiences including little encouragement from parents, who in the main had adverse relationships, higher rates of sexual molestation, and were least happy in childhood. Despite this environment Winners evidenced early independence and self-confidence. Striving addicts were characterized by usually non-substance-using, church-going parents. Most had ceased narcotics use, but remained heavily involved with alcohol and marijuana. Enduring addicts, mostly from lower socioeconomic status families that exhibited extensive substance use and physical arguments, commonly accessed methadone treatment and avoided incarceration while persisting in narcotic addiction and crime. Incarcerated addicts, typically raised in dysfunctional, substance-using families, received the most parental caring along with the most severe punishment. They exhibited persistent involvement in crime, violence, and drug use.