Reconstructing Cross-Cultural Meanings of Addiction Among Women from Three Countries

Abstract

The gender gap in drug use is narrowing in regions where access to criminalized substances, such as opioids, is increasing. While research shows that substance use is gendered, less is known about the cultural norms and values shaping women’s drug use, as most studies focus on men. Cross-national comparisons of cultural models of addiction are needed to better understand how addiction is perceived and to inform culturally responsive treatment approaches for women. This study examined cultural models of addiction among reproductive-aged women receiving treatment for substance misuse in London, Toronto, and Delhi. Participants completed a semi-structured questionnaire with open-ended and free-list prompts. Findings revealed shared cultural models attributing drug use to psychological factors, such as self-medicating to manage negative emotions or enhance positive ones, as well as relational, developmental, and biological influences. In conclusion, the study highlights the importance of incorporating cultural models into research and treatment. By using an inductive approach to explore meanings surrounding drug use among people in recovery, researchers can better understand how interventions are received and interpreted through existing internal frameworks.