Diary reports on emotional experiences in the onset of a psychosocial transition: Becoming drug-free

Author(s)

Marcella Ravenna, Erik Hölzl, Sandro Costarelli, Erich Kirchler, Augusto Palmonari

Abstract

The process of becoming drug free is viewed as a psychosocial transition

in the life of drug addicts. A specific form of treatment of heroin

addiction within residential communities is based on the importance of

interpersonal relationships for change. Well-being of 65 drug addicts

during the first 2 weeks in a residential community is explored using a

time-sampling diary which was completed four times a day. The influence

of subjects' history, situational context, and motive activation on

well-being and emotions is investigated. Results show that well-being

and emotions differ mainly according to subjects' history, but not — at

least at the beginning of treatment within the community — according to

situations. This is interpreted as a ‘state of shock’ in the new

environment and highlights the necessity for special individual care for

subjects with a long drug career. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley &

Sons, Ltd.

Organisation(s)

External organisation(s)

University of Bologna, Università degli Studi di Trento

Journal

Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology

Volume

11

Pages

19-35

No. of pages

17

ISSN

1052-9284

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1002/casp.607

Publication date

2001

Peer reviewed

Yes

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

5010 Psychology

Portal url

https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/c18c9b38-a7fc-47e5-9c45-17e0a46ee973