Living a responsible life: The impact of AIDS on the social indentity of intravenous drug users

This article shows how an i.v. drug using woman uses her diagnosis to redefine her life and her social identity, as she changes a negative 'deviant' image into a positive one.

Abstract

The dominant image of an intravenous (i.v.) drug user in U.S. society is that of the unbridled 'dope fiend'. It is common in treatment literature to refer to users as diseased and pathologically unable to control their lives. Female i.v. drug users, as the bearers of children, even more than males, are faced with the paradox posed by conflicting social messages labeling them as irresponsible, dirty 'dope fiends' while approaching them as responsible citizens who need to 'clean up their act' for their children. The paradox of these messages creates a profound moral dilemma involving agency--the ability to develop a flow of conduct by reflexively monitoring intention, purpose, and accountability of actions in the pursuit of a goal--and the social identity of 'junkie'. This article examines this social condition and how it affects the life and options of a woman diagnosed HIV positive. Using narrative discourse and analyzing it through the study of voice I show how an i.v. drug using woman uses her diagnosis to redefine her life and her social identity, as she changes a negative 'deviant' image into a positive one.