Illicit Drug Users’ Recovery Pathways: What their Health Diaries Reveal

Over and above the difficulties managing their addiction, illicit drug users are often confronted with multiple issues not only of a medical and psychological nature, but also with regard to their social context and their lives in general. While many studies have focused on drug usage and the psychological issues involved, little research has focused on the impact of individuals’ social contexts on their recovery journeys. In the DURESS (Drug Use Recovery, Environment and Social Subjectivity) study, 25 illicit drug users receiving care for their addiction problem in Paris kept health diaries concerning the obstacles and facilitators encountered in their everyday life regarding their recovery pathways. Family life, social life, housing, employment, and administrative and legal issues play major roles.