Abstract
This article examines illicit drug use from a decision-making perspective using data collected during 2000-2002 from 51 current and ex-users of marijuana in a large urban city in the central/southwest United States. A qualitative inductive approach based on grounded theory guided the analyses. We find that prior to experimentation and use, decision-making processes are general and nonspecific. In the later stages of drug involvement, decision-making processes become drug-specific. Individuals consider a number of different types of factors when making decisions about illicit drug use involvement. The study's implications and limitations are discussed and future research suggested.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1401-1425 |
Number of pages | 25 |
Journal | Substance Use and Misuse |
Volume | 42 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jul 1 2007 |
Keywords
- Cessation
- Illicit drug use
- Initiation
- Marijuana use
- Rational choice
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Medicine (miscellaneous)
- Health(social science)
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
- Psychiatry and Mental health