A comparative analysis of attitude-behaviors of heroin users and mental health therapists toward drug users

Author: Nicholson, William N.

Source:
Toxicomanies, Vol. 6(2), Apr 1973: 157-167
Examined the attitudes towards various drug-related behaviors of drug users and therapists. The Kaple Attitude-Behavior Scale: Drug Users, based on the facet theory paradigm of L. Guttman and J. E. Jordan, was administered to 177 heroin addicts and 77 mental health therapists. Detained heroin addicts receiving no treatment maintained positive attitudes toward drug users. While the attitudes of addicts in methadone treatment programs were less positive than those of the untreated addicts, they were still more favorable than attitudes expressed by professional or paraprofessional therapists. Implications of these findings for therapy are discussed.