INFLUENCES OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS ON CLIENT PROGRESS DURING DRUG-ABUSETREATMENT

Relationships with family and friends by 439 heroin addicts during the first 3 months of drug abuse treatment were examined in relation to b ehavioral improvements of clients. Family conflict and peer deviance w ere significant predictors of injection frequency and illegal activity during treatment, and reductions in family conflict were associated w ith lower drug use, injection frequency, and illegal activity during t reatment These results provide support for treatment emphasis on helpi ng clients reduce conflict among family members, improve dysfunctional relationships with peers, and replace deviant friendships with others that encourage treatment participation and conformance to social norm s.