The increasing rate of heroin addiction in female is a universal problem. It is obvious that women are different to the male physically, psychologically and even in social context. However, the present researches on substance abuse are usually concentrated on the general situation and as a result ignore the unique situations of the female heroin dependents. This study therefore tries to fill the gap and focuses on the interaction between the life course of drug-addicted females and their substance abuse behaviors by examining their original family conditions, their relations to partners and friends and their self-opinion of being a drug abuser.
This research adopts oral history interview as the main methodology and has interviewed nine female rehabilitants in Yulin Female Detention Center who had used both amphetamine and heroin. They all agreed to join this research project under free will and signed a letter of consent. In order to understand their life course and experience of substance abuse, the nine interviewees were asked to fill up structured questionnaires and the interviews were guided by semi-structured outlines.
After data analyzing, it is found:
?1? Their parents usually do particular kinds of jobs, such as gambling. Their parents are in divorce and therefore the interviewees have been suffering from estranged relations to the family.
?2? Their first use of drugs is normally driven by curiosity, then followed by frustration caused by family conflict, vexation or interrupted education.
?3? No matter the primary use or recurrences, female heroin dependants are usually induced by peers or partners, or as a result of depressions or misestimate their capability of rehabilitant.
?4? It is hard to break the emotion connection between heroin-addicted female and their partner even the male are in charge of criminal.
?5? Advices of rehabilitation from family members or partners have positive influence on them.
?6? The interviewees normally share a pessimistic life perspective.
It is suggested that the female heroin dependants have to adjust their pessimistic attitudes about life, accept job-training and use social supporting system wisely. As for those having a drug addicted partner, it is recommended that they should strengthen their emotion control and look for a proper substitute. In addition, the government has to design specific supporting system for the female rehabilitants, including baby rearing and subvention during their rehabilitation.
