Journal of Sociology and Social Work

A Day in the Life: Time-use, Employment, and Drug Access among Opiate Addicts in Ukraine
Gregory Adams

Abstract
Time use data have become prevalent in the social sciences, particularly in the areas of work/life balance, gender disparities in domestic labor, and adolescent delinquency. Little social science research has been done, however, on time-use among opioid addicts. Reasons for this include an underlying assumption that for the opioid dependent, time is only organized around access to opioids and their use. Addict’s organization of time and attention around access and use tells an incomplete story. Given the important role of paid work, as well as other essential activities of daily living, improved understanding of time-use among addicts has policy implications for any nation. From a sample of 673 self-identified opiate addicts in Ukraine, 650 provided time-use data using 24-hour scales. The data reveal that time devoted to daily drug-related activities among addicts varies significantly, and that legitimate resources mitigate criminal activity. Among the activities are means by which self-identified addicts finance drugs, time allotted to accessing opiate drugs, and a mitigating relationship between drug-dedicated activity and employment.

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