Citation

Rødner S. Addict. Res. Theory 2005; 13(4): 333-346.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/16066350500136276

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Based on individual conversational interviews with 44 socially integrated drug users in Stockholm, this article examines the informants' self-presentations and their representations of drug abusers. The results show that the informants strive towards positive self-presentation. In this process, the drug abuser identity is important as it provides a negative identity that reinforces the informants' desired self-presentation. The mechanisms of negative Other-presentations derive from a background in which the informants attempt to escape a socially ascribed deviant identity and exchange it for a not yet stabilised positive identity.

Language: en

Keywords

discourse analysis; Drugs; identity; qualitative research