1. Understanding Drug Culture
Melissa Monahan, LPC
Georgette McNally, LPC

2. Learning Objectives 1. Define drug culture
2. Identify 3 values or beliefs associated with a drug culture
3. Name 2 rituals affiliated with a recovery culture

3. Drug Culture defined
A complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art, morals, laws, customs, and any other capabilities and habits acquired by an individual as a member of society.
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4. Drug culture through the ages
Hippies
70’s Cocaine era
80’s Crack/Marijuana
90’s Rave drugs and crystal meth
00’s Rx drugs and a return to heroin

5. Hippies Marijuana and hallucinogens Valued inclusivity and peace
Zen belief systems
Non-conformist
Substance use to “transform”
Ritualistic religious practices/dance

6. 70’s Cocaine era Lots of Cocaine Glamour and prestige Party drug
Value wealth and social status
Thought to be safe as is plant based
Rituals are social

7. 80’s Crack Dealers wanted the wealth of cocaine users
No longer social use- value “my own thing”
Gangs—inner cities— people of color
Rituals-Crack house

8. 90’s Rave culture Hallucinogens Electronic music Secret spots
Drug use is social
Value PLUR (Peach, love, unity,respect)
Rituals-Dancing

9. Current Culture-A Survey of drug court clients
Prescription Drugs/Opiates/Fentanyl
Values-
Rituals-

10. Alienation and Harm reduction
Removing substance users from their identified culture may have them feeling alienated from the dominant culture=cultural estrangement
Providing safe use practices such as needle exchange, safe spaces to use, and naloxone allows people to use safely while participating in treatment to increase self- esteem, coping mechanisms and find a new culture to fit in to

11. 12-Step Group Values & the Culture of Recovery
greatly influenced by 12-Step groups such as AA and NA (White 1998)
groups provide a clearly defined culture of recovery
provide members with a set of rituals, daily activities, customs, traditions, values, and beliefs
represent the core principles, values, and beliefs of such groups. Wilcox (1998) defines these values as surrender; faith; acceptance, tolerance, and patience; honesty, openness, and willingness; humility; willingness to examine character defects; taking life one day at a time; and keeping things simple
From: 6, Drug Cultures and the Culture of Recovery
Improving Cultural Competence.
Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 59.
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (US).
Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2014.

12. 12-Step Group Values & the Culture of Recovery
Groups are embodied in rituals that take place in meetings and in members' daily lives. White (1998)
Centering rituals help members stay focused on recovery by reading recovery literature, handling recovery tokens or symbols, and taking regular self- assessments or personal inventories each day.
Mirroring rituals keep members in contact with one another and help them practice sober living together. Attending meetings, telling one's story, speaking regularly by phone, and using slogans (e.g., “keep it simple,” “pass it on”), among others, are mirroring activities.
Acts of personal responsibility include being honest and becoming time- conscious and punctual. Activities include the creation of new rituals of daily living related to sleeping, hygiene, and other areas of self-care while also being reliable and courteous.
Acts of service involve performing rituals to help others in recovery. These acts are related to the Twelfth Step, which directs members to carry the message of their spiritual awakening to others who abuse alcohol or are dependent on it, thereby encouraging them to practice the 12 Steps. Acts of service recognize that people in recovery have something of value to offer those still abusing alcohol.
These rituals aid the processes of personal transformation and integration into a new cultural group.
From: 6, Drug Cultures and the Culture of Recovery
Improving Cultural Competence.
Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 59.
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (US).
Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2014.

13. Culture of Recovery
involves connecting individuals back to the larger community and to their cultures of origin (Davidson et al. 2008).
educate the community about recovery as well, examples:
promoting a recovery month in the community
hosting recovery walks or similar events
offering outreach to community groups, such as churches or fraternal/benevolent societies
From: 6, Drug Cultures and the Culture of Recovery
Improving Cultural Competence.
Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 59.
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (US).
Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2014.

14. Conclusion
Without a plan for creating a culture of recovery, clients often return to drug culture or at least parts of it because it meets their basic social needs