Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a theoretical analysis of the pathways of female addicts within the Maltese context by highlighting the complex interrelatedness between substance abuse and victimisation. This paper proposes that female addiction and victimisation trajectories unfold in a non-linear fashion, heavily influenced by particular socio-psychological processes. Design/methodology/approach Guided by a career approach conceptual framework, this study was carried out through an in-depth exploration of the victimisation and addictive career trajectories of 12 women, who are either incarcerated or in a residential drug treatment facility. Data were gathered qualitatively through in-depth interviews and analysed using a grounded theory methodology. Findings The paper highlights how the victimisation and substance abuse trajectories of women initially unfold and develop over time. This includes an exploration of the strategies employed in order to negotiate gender-based victimisation experiences throughout their lifetime, such as through the development of a victim identity and the self-medication of trauma symptoms, a process that is facilitated by the influence of older, male peers. As the women’s addiction trajectories progress rapidly towards commitment, sex work and IPV feature and the victim identity is reinforced, motivating continued and increased drug use. Practical implications The paper includes implications for the development of a gender-responsive framework of intervention when working with women who were present for the treatment. Originality/value With a focus on women’s experiences, this study fills a lacuna within the literature by complementing and expanding upon quantitative analyses that examine these phenomena as distinct entities.

中文翻译：

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马耳他妇女中的受害和成瘾的职业

目的本文的目的是通过强调药物滥用和受害之间的复杂相互联系，为马耳他成瘾者中女性成瘾者的传播途径提供理论分析。本文提出，女性成瘾和受害轨迹以非线性方式展开，并受到特定社会心理过程的严重影响。设计/方法/方法在职业方法概念框架的指导下，本研究通过对12名女性的受害和成瘾的职业轨迹进行了深入研究，这些女性要么被监禁，要么被拘留在戒毒所。通过深入的访谈定性收集数据，并使用扎根的理论方法进行分析。调查结果该论文强调了妇女的受害和滥用毒品的轨迹最初是如何随着时间发展和发展的。这包括探索为协商一生中基于性别的受害经历而采用的策略，例如通过发展受害人的身份和自我治疗创伤症状，这一过程在老年人的影响下得到了促进，男性同龄人。随着妇女成瘾轨迹迅速向承诺，性工作和IPV功能迈进，受害者身份得到加强，从而促使持续不断地增加毒品使用。实际意义本文包括与在场的妇女合作时对性别敏感的干预框架发展的意义。