ABSTRACT
This qualitative study explores the traumas of Chinese heroin users. The results showed that the Chinese experience traumas during (childhood, later in life but prior to heroin-use onset, and throughout their heroin-use career. Themes related to the traumas include the historical economic transition, the value of family orientation, an emphasis on scholarly pursuits, the shame orientation, and a scarcity of resources conducive to recovery. This article provides a framework to understand the traumas experienced by Chinese people and offers insights on how macrofactors may impact the trauma and its treatment in different societies.