High-risk drug use is prevalent among UK prison populations (Lipton, 1995) while recovery in prison is both complex and variable. Grounded theory methodology was employed to gain a greater understanding of the perceptions and conceptualisations of "risk," "need" and "motivation" in relation to prisoner drug abusing practices, criminal practices, abstinence initiating practices and the meaning of recovery for 11 Her Majesty's Prison (HMP) based drug rehabilitation clients. The analysis presented five themes with the main problem faced by the participants as "staying clean."