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Drug Addicts: Are They Out of Control?

NCJ Number
137145
Author(s)
J C Brady II
Date Published
1990
Length
220 pages
Annotation
Drug addicts do not suffer with a medical disease, but rather are out of control psychologically.
Abstract
A study was conducted at the California Rehabilitation Center to address several important questions related to drug addiction and treatment: why are drug addicts out of control; what happens to a drug addict's self concept; is social class related to drug use; what is the most effective type of treatment; what role does age play in repeat drug use; can education help stop the American drug dilemma; does ethnic background affect drug use; how can the drug user's success rate be increased; and does marijuana use lead to "hard drugs." The findings show that in addition to being out of control, the primary reason for using drugs is the user's poor self-concept formation as well as feelings of being "out of control." Offenders who accept responsibility and blameworthiness for their action need a therapeutic climate of supportive guidance as provided in the non-directive treatment approach. Recidivist offenders, external on locus of control and unfavorable on self-concept and who do not accept responsibility for their behavior, might benefit from a direct therapy such as Glasser's reality therapy. 32 tables, 200 references, and 3 appendixes

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