Rehab Facilities/Recovering Addicts - Essay Example

It must be realized that the drug addict subculture is different from the recovering drug addict subculture though the boundary is highly fluid in most cases. It can be argued that the recovering drug addicts’ subculture is actually a subculture from the drug addict subculture domain. This stands true unless the individual breaks free form addiction and exits from the drug addiction subculture altogether. In this manner the individual would have left alone the recovering drug addicts subculture and the drug addicts subculture at the same time.

The recovering drug addict culture is strongly cohesive and most of these individuals tend to stick together and socialize amongst themselves only. What must be kept in mind is that most of these individuals were ostracized by society and mainstream culture so that these people were only able to socialize amongst other drug addicts. The psychological image that only a drug addict could really understand another drug addict leads to this unique socialization phenomenon where recovering drug addicts socialize amongst themselves only (Coombs).

Even though these individuals are recovering from drug addiction but the most common subject under discussion are drugs. Discourse ranges from how to prepare and reap certain drugs such as marijuana to the effects of drug use such as hallucinations. The only thing that these people have in common is drugs so they remain the focus of nearly every other discourse in the rehabilitation center. This practice in itself tends to reinforce the drug culture as recovering addicts are largely occupied with these thoughts (Clinard and Meier).

Moreover, there are certain linguistic symbols that are unique to this subculture such as “high”, “meth”, “smokin’ till I drop” etc. Unless the care provider does not understand these symbols, there is little chance that the recovering drug addict would be able to socialize with the care provider. This in turn leads to a sketchier and formal relationship that reinforces the drug addict culture again because the recovering drug addict needs to fulfill his social needs. 3. Influence of Personal Position The position of a caregiver often stimulates one to see recovering drug addicts as subjects for improvement who need constant supervision.

There is little delegation of responsibility to recovering drug addicts even in the later stages of treatment. Constant supervision is a key feature of the caregiver perspective to recovering drug addicts’ care. In turn, this attitude provides a less than human relationship between the caregiver and the recovering drug addict. A more personalized approach to care ensures that the recovering drug addicts allow other people to get involved in their subculture. This involvement is often critical to helping the recovering drug addict climb out of his circle of despair.

When new people are introduced to the recovering drug addicts’ subculture, these new people are viewed with suspicion that is mired with certain stereotypical attitudes. For one thing, the new person is treated purely as an outsider and there is inertia to the entry of this person into the drug addicts’ subculture unless this new person has some drug-based experience. Furthermore, there is the tendency to see new caregiver entrants as moral police who constantly remind the recovering drug addicts of the negative nature of their actions.

Due to this reason, the recovering dr