Social identities and response to treatment for alcohol and cocaine abuse

This study examined the relationship between social identities and response to treatment for alcohol and/or cocaine abuse. Individuals who reported more valued (i.e., positive and important) social identities were expected to have better treatment outcomes. Forty-five participants were interviewed at treatment entry and at 3 and 6 months after starting treatment. The number of valued identities increased between treatment entry and 3 months. Participants with a greater number of valued identities at treatment entry were more likely to be abstinent at 3 months. Participants who reported more interference between substance use and valued identities were also more likely to be abstinent at 3 months, suggesting a possible motivational mechanism for the link between identities and response to treatment. Neither number of valued identities nor conflict between substance use and identities predicted abstinence between 3 and 6 months. Interaction effects, specific identities, and protective and motivational functions of social identities are discussed.