Intra-Group Stigma: Examining Peer Relationships among Women in Recovery for Addictions

This grounded theory study explores how women with histories of addiction perceive stigma while in treatment. In-depth interviews were conducted with 30 women participating in a residential drug treatment center. 

Previous research has found that support from peers during recovery can be critical to managing illnesses. In fact, researchers have postulated that peers can be a more effective form of support than even family. This study extends existing literature indicating that peer support systems can be supportive, however they can also can be perceived as negative support that impose stigmas. 

Findings reveal that women perceive stigmas due to how various types of drug use violate societal expectations and conflict with notions of deservingness. Specifically, the “hard users” (i.e., women who use heroin or crack cocaine) perceive stigmas regarding how their drug use violates norms of womanhood. 

Moreover, the “soft users” (i.e., those who use alcohol or marijuana) perceive stigmas that their drug use is considered undeserving of support. 

This paper explores the factors that contribute to stigma amongst populations who potentially face marginalization from larger society. Implications for treatment and group work are discussed.

Table 1

Description of Study Participants (N = 30)

Participant*	Age	Race/Ethnicity	Education	Drug Type	Months in Recovery	Charge
Amy	29	Caucasian	In college	Marijuana	36	Drug trafficking
Gloria	39	African American	10th grade	Crack cocaine	20	Solicitation & Possession
Evelyn	27	African American	11th grade	Marijuana	10	Retail theft
Tanya	37	African American	In college	Crack cocaine	48	Retail theft
Debra	32	African American	GED	Marijuana	12	Forging checks
Jane	30	Latina	In college	Crack cocaine	36	Possession
Leah	31	African American	12th grade	Heroin	17	Residential burglary & Unlawful use of controlled substance
Lena	25	African American	12th grade	Crack cocaine	13	Possession
Nicki	40	African American	9th grade	Crack cocaine	19	Possession
Valencia	47	African American	In college	Crack cocaine	24	Possession
Delila	32	Latina	9th grade	Crack cocaine	30	Possession
Tammy	23	Caucasian	10th grade	Crack cocaine	18	Delivery with intent to sell
Katty	25	African American	11th grade	Crack cocaine	30	Possession & Residential burglary
Amelia	28	Caucasian	11th grade	Heroin	21	Possession
Pamela	31	African American	10th grade	Heroin	19	Retail theft
Vanya	31	African American	GED	Alcohol	27	Retail theft
Lisa	33	Latina	10th grade	Crack cocaine	15	Possession
Sheila	29	Caucasian	9th grade	Marijuana	17	Possession
Anne	34	African American	GED	Heroin	9	Possession
Kimba	42	African American	GED	Heroin	32	Intent to distribute
Delinda	42	African American	11th grade	Crack cocaine	9	Retain theft & Solicitation
Tamara	46	Caucasian	HS Grad**	Alcohol	24	Fraud
Danny	33	Caucasian	HS Grad	Crack cocaine	28	Possession
Talia	34	Latina	11th grade	Crack cocaine	20	Retail theft
Charlene	48	African American	9th grade	Crack cocaine	16	Solicitation
Hope	52	African American	10th grade	Heroin	24	Possession
Sheryl	43	African American	9th grade	Heroin	11	Burglary & Intent to sell
Sharon	35	African American	12th grade	Alcohol	15	DWI & Manslaughter
Jamila	32	Caucasian	B.A.	Heroin	26	Possession
Star	25	African American	12th grade	Marijuana	13	Possession & Intent to sell

*All names have been changed

**High School Graduate

Full article at:  http://goo.gl/3eQrox

By:  Alana J. Gunn, PhD1 and Kelli E. Canada, PhD2

¹National Development and Research Institutes, Inc.

²University of Missouri

Correspondence and Request for Reprints: Alana Gunn, PhD, 2705 Pearsall Avenue, Bronx, NY 10469, Email: moc.liamg@310190nnuglA, (646) 765-1213

More at:  https://twitter.com/hiv_insight

And:        http://twitter.com/Prison_Health