Living a responsible life: The impact of AIDS on the social indentity of intravenous drug users

The dominant image of an intravenous (IV) drug user in U.S. society is that of the unbridled 'dope fiend'. It is common treatment literature to refer to users as diseased and pathologically unable to control their lives.Female IV drug users, as the bearers of children, even more than males, are faced with the paradox posed by conflicting social messages labeling them as irresponsible,dirty 'dope fiends' while approaching them as responsible citizens who need to 'clean up their act' for their children. The paradox of these messages creates a profound moral dilemma involving agency--the ability to develop a flow of conduct by reflexively monotoring intention, purpose, and accountability of actions in the pursuit of a goal--and the social identity to 'junkie'. This article examines this social condition and how it affects the life and option of a woman diagnosed HIV positive. Using narrative discourse and analyzing it through the study of voice I show how an IV drug using woman uses their diagnosis to redefine her life and her social; identity, as the changes a negative 'deviant' image into a positive one.