Implicit and Explicit Self-Identification as a Drug User in People Who Used Heroin and Methamphetamine

Implicit and explicit self-identification as a drug user specific to the substance used (e.g., viewing oneself as a drinker) have been examined, as they relate to that drug use. However, studies have rarely explored whether identifying as a drug user differs implicitly and explicitly for people who use different drugs and how this identification relates to drug-use behaviors or abstinence. This study examined implicit and explicit self-identification as a drug user and their associations with drug-use behaviors and abstinence in people who used heroin (PWUH) and people who used methamphetamine (PWUM). Forty PWUH and 35 PWUM in a rehabilitation facility completed the single category implicit association test (SC-IAT), which evaluated implicit associations of a drug user with self, and a measure of explicit self-identification as a drug user. Prior drug-use behaviors and current abstinence duration of the participants were assessed. PWUH demonstrated stronger implicit self + drug user associations and higher levels of explicit self-identification as a drug user than PWUM. A higher frequency of drug use was associated with higher levels of explicit drug-user self-identity, and longer abstinence duration was positively related to stronger implicit self + drug user associations in PWUH. The drug type of heroin (vs. methamphetamine) participants used was associated with a higher frequency of use, which, in turn, predicted higher levels of explicit drug-user self-identity. Given that the PWUH group differs from the PWUM group in terms of implicit and explicit self-identification as drug users, it would be more appropriate to address drug-user self-identity of individuals according to the substance they use rather than as a collective group.

Automated summary

This study investigated the differences in implicit and explicit self-identification as a drug user between people who used heroin and methamphetamine, finding that heroin users demonstrated stronger associations and levels of self-identification as a drug user compared to methamphetamine users, which were associated with higher frequency of drug use and longer abstinence duration, respectively.