The role of Christianity in residential drug rehabilitation in Hong Kong: A lens of respectability politics.

Faith-based programs are widely used for treating addiction in several countries. Although they are predominantly used in Hong Kong, how they function within the Chinese cultural context remains unknown, particularly for irreligious individuals. Therefore, this study examines how respectability politics are applied within a faith-based drug rehabilitation community in Hong Kong, where religious norms and therapeutic practices shape the residents' experiences. Based on ethnographic fieldwork and 29 semi-structured interviews, the findings revealed that respectability politics manifests as an interplay among the concern for faith, public image, and therapy, creating a complex dynamic within such a community and offering transformative experiences for some while coercing and excluding those who do not conform. Our insights underscore the need for inclusive therapeutic approaches that respect diverse backgrounds and beliefs and ultimately enhance the effectiveness of faith-based rehabilitation programs. This study highlights the importance of situating respectability politics within specific cultural contexts to understand how marginalized individuals seek dignity during recovery.