“I Couldn’t go Anywhere”

Abstract

The authors examine the narratives of 24 substance-addicted welfare recipients to understand how their neighborhoods provide a particular context for substance abuse, violence, and social isolation. The authors also examine the relationships among substance abuse, violence, and social isolation. Overall, these narratives indicate that place of residence influences one’s social networks and exposure to drugs, which subsequently influence women’s experiences with substance abuse and domestic violence. The authors suggest a cohesive framework for understanding women’s experiences, that of structural violence as experienced through neighborhood living conditions, which fosters social isolation and vulnerability to long-term drug use and domestic violence.