International Journal of Emergency Mental Health and Human Resilience
Open Access

Abstract

There has been extensive research on drug use in the rehabilitation field but little is onusers�?? families. This is a group of people who are usually hidden and neglected in the society. This paper examines the impact of drug use on the identity of parents and their lived experience in Hong Kong, China. Semi-structured and in-depth interviews were conducted with eighteen families consisting of parents ranging in age from 43 to 64. These families were recruited from three different drug treatment agencies and a parents�?? support group in Hong Kong. Findings show that substance use families internalize the traditional beliefs that drug use is immoral, dangerous and contagious and is a personal choice for which individuals should be held responsible. The feeling that drug users shame the family and cause loss of face is prevalent among Hong Kong Chinese families. Most respondents experienced great fear of social interaction, anticipated hostile rejection from others and isolated themselves. This study also found that these families were able to defend themselves against negative labeling. The mechanism of how families rebuild a positive self-identity is discussed. It involves a self-reflexive process, the strengthening of the sense of self-worth and the employment of active identity-preservation strategies. Policy and practice implications are discussed in reference to the Hong Kong Chinese context.

Biography