Abstract
Participants (6 male, 4 female) on a methadone maintenance program completed a Think-Aloud procedure while viewing two stereotypical picture sets depicting opiate-dependent and mainstream lifestyles. Discourse analysis indicated that participants used two different discourses: a stereotype-affirming defensive discourse, which involved affirming the negative and positive stereotypes regarding opiate-dependent and mainstream lifestyles, and a stereotype-refuting defensive discourse, which involved refuting negative opiate-dependent stereotypes while constructing mainstream lifestyles and members negatively. We argue that both discourses fit within a grander discourse concerning normalization with participants’ speech functioning to defend them from being negatively stereotyped by making them “normal” members of society.
Highlights
Opiate-dependent people are stigmatized members of society: They have been demonized by politicians, the law, and the press (Buchanan & Young, 2000; Elliott & Chapman, 2000) and are labeled as “dangerous,” “anti-social,” “unassertive,” and “dirty” by the general public (Finnigan, 1996; Sheard & Tompkins, 2008)
Two discourses could be seen within the data relating either to affirming or refuting stereotypes; these discourses fit within a grander discourse concerning normalization
Of 10 participants, 4 (Kelly, Sarah, Hamid, and Helen) had an overwhelmingly stereotype-affirming defensive discourse. This involved supporting negative stereotypes regarding an opiate-dependent lifestyle and positive stereotypes regarding a mainstream lifestyle, while keeping oneself from being labeled a stereotypical “junkie.” Given participants were recruited because they were on a methadone program, by affirming the negative opiate-dependent stereotypes and separating themselves from those stereotypes, participants placed themselves in a more positive light; by affirming positive mainstream stereotypes participants could speak of their “new life” in a positive way, as well as once again place themselves outside of a negative opiate-dependent stereotype by allowing referral to “normal,” positive aspects of a mainstream lifestyle they kept during the time they used opiates
Summary
Opiate-dependent people are stigmatized members of society: They have been demonized by politicians, the law, and the press (Buchanan & Young, 2000; Elliott & Chapman, 2000) and are labeled as “dangerous,” “anti-social,” “unassertive,” and “dirty” by the general public (Finnigan, 1996; Sheard & Tompkins, 2008). This can push people who are dependent on opiates away from mainstream society, as well as make recovery more difficult by hampering their reintegration into the mainstream (e.g., drug offences make it more difficult to become employed). The opiate-dependent community has its own language, shared understandings of needs, and shared experiences that make it more comfortable around like members (Anderson & Levy, 2003), which opiate users may contrast against the identity and pressures of the mainstream (Best et al, 2007)
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