DRUG IDENTITY CHANGE PROCESSES, RACE, AND GENDER - I - EXPLANATIONS OF DRUG MISUSE AND A NEW IDENTITY-BASED MODEL

The present paper explores race and gender differences in a recent the oretical model (Anderson, 1994), consisting of several micro- and macr ofactors, that helps explain the identity-related processes of drug mi suse. The approach is qualitative, featuring in-depth interviewing wit h 45 self-identified drug addicts. The study uncovered support for the general concepts of the identity-based model across four subgroups: B lack females, White females, Black males, and White males. However, im portant race and gender differences emerged. Gender and race-related s ocialization and stratification explain most of the differences and su ggest reconceptualization of the model. The investigation further demo nstrates the promise of identity-based approaches in extending our kno wledge of the etiology of drug misuse and related intervention policie s.