EXITING THE DRUG-ADDICT ROLE - VARIATIONS BY RACE AND GENDER

Our paper explores race and gender variations in the processes of exit ing a ''drug-addict role'' and in creating a ''recovering-addict role' ' within the ideological constraints of 12-Step programs. Our method i s qualitative and features in-depth interviewing with 45 currently abs tinent drug addicts from the 12-Step programs of Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) and Narcotics Anonymous (N.A.) in the Washington, D.C., Metropo litan Area as well as a residential and out-patient treatment program in mid-Michigan. Our respondents' exit processes typically began with doubts about the drug addict role followed by an often long and dynami c period of seeking alternatives to it without giving up drugs and alc ohol completely. In some cases, however, participation in a new role i nitiated doubts about an existing one. Contrary to extant research, tu rning points or epiphanic moments in existing roles were not always id entified. Most importantly, however, we found many differences by race and gender in what comprised the exit process. Gender socialization, cultural diversity, and the history of race relations in the United St ates help to explain this diversity.