PER NON RICADERE NELLA DROGA: UNA ESPLORAZIONE SUL RUOLO DI FATTORI INDIVIDUALI, RELAZIONALI E SOCIALI / DO NOT FALL FOR THE DRUG: AN EXPLORATION ON THE ROLE OF INDIVIDUAL, RELATIONSHIP AND SOCIAL FACTORS

This paper analyses the role of several individual factors, social network dimensions, and social resources accessible by support members on posttreatment substance use among ex patients of an Italian therapeutic treatment agency. Employing a social network analysis approach, I measured ego-centered networks in a sample of 80 treated addicts, and investigated which features of the support networks (structural characteristics, network composition, kinds of resources mobilised) are related to the risk of relapse. I explored the role of social capital in terms of advantage generated by ego's location in the structure of relationships as an opportunity to reach more and diverse benefits protecting against drug use. I also examined the connection between perceived public discrimination, job attitude and likelihood of readopting drug-abusing behaviour. Results show that having a higher occupational status, a reduced perception of public discrimination and a positive job attitude minimize the risk of renewed drug use. Additionally, having a social network more heterogeneous and less constrained, members willing to provide reputational resources and reciprocate support contribute to maintaining drug-free status.