A Sociological Analysis of Drug Addict's Relapse in the Therapeutic Community of Mashhad, Iran

This article offers a sociological analysis of drug addicts’ relapse in the therapeutic community (TC) of Mashhad, Iran, during 2008-9. It benefits from labeling as well as structural-functional, social control, and need perspectives. A random sample of 105 addicts was surveyed for the purpose of this study. Results indicate that the frequency of relapse (dependent variable) has a positive correlation with labeling and structural-functional variables but no significant correlation with social control and need variables. Regression and path analyses show that the variables of labeling, age, sense of discrimination, and positive attitude to drug have the most direct and positive effect and the variable of social satisfaction have the most indirect and negative effect on the dependent variable. Furthermore, the variables of social control and need have no significant effect on frequency of relapse.