Drug Users’ Self-Representation at the Beginning of and After Rehabilitation

The aim of this study is to comprehend the evolution in the self-representations of drug users at the beginning and after at least six months from the start of a therapeutic rehabilitation program. Considering self-representation as attributions reflected in interactions, this paper takes into account personal constructs related to social relationships inside and outside the therapeutic community. Seventeen repertory grid interviews were collected from residents and newcomers grids were compared to those of veterans using statistical techniques (Student t-test, iGridstat). Honesty seems to be the central construct around which drug users develop the idea of change regardless of length of stay in rehabilitation program. Its meaning is not related to compliance with the rules, but rather to breaking the silence that causes users to hide transgressions from the eyes of the community.