Substance Abuse Disorder

Introduction

It is challenging to define drug and drug abuse as several definitions exist. However, there exists a consensus that a drug is a substance that, when used repeatedly, might lead to addiction or dependency because it has stimulating, depressive, narcotic, or psychedelic effects. Substance Abuse Disorder remains among the most contentious issues contemporary society has to grapple with. Considering the detrimental impacts of substance abuse, a dire need arises to understand narcotic usage in the societal context comprehensively. I thus chose to analyze this social phenomenon to elucidate better the grounds that catalyze drug and substance abuse within society and lead to Substance Abuse Disorder. Considering the prevalence of narcotics abuse within society, it becomes quite essential to study this social phenomenon to get findings and give recommendations that perform a balancing function in creating a normative culture of safety, moderation, and informed judgment. Additionally, it is by having a profound elucidation on the catalysts of drug abuse that essential and effective interventions can be applied successfully to fight this social problem in the future.

As social and economic inequalities continue to draw a rift between existing social classes, drug and substance abuse disparities between social and economic classes become more apparent. Additionally, research-based affirmations indicate that societal and economic disparities are well associated with Drug Use Disorders (DUDs) (Sáenz et al.). Several research findings also find a direct link between socio-economic status and the prevalence of narcotic drug usage. Furthermore, members of higher social classes tend to have a much more self-controlled indulgence in drug abuse than low social class members. In this essay, I seek to define this social phenomenon on the grounds of socio-economic inequalities through the interactionist theory lens.

Interactionalism Theory

Interactionalism theory is quite an essential micro-sociological perspective of understanding narcotics substance abuse from a socio-economic perspective. Since this theory perceives that essence is only achievable through interpersonal relationships, it becomes an effective tool to identify how social constructions within the lower socio-economic class catalyze drug and substance abuse. Below are the essential components of this theory.

1. One essential component of interactionist theory is that, based on the reading of situational elements, people consciously choose their behaviors in encounters with other people. As a result, human behavior is indeed the result of human social interactions.
2. The social and cultural framework in which interactions occur necessitates the definition and characterization of things, persons, and circumstances following the subjective meanings of the participants (Nickerson).
3. Every time a person interacts with another person, a process of interpretation takes place that creates and reconstructs the meanings that person possesses (Nickerson). Thus, interactions between people can transform individuals’ behavioral traits to embrace drug and substance abuse.
4. People behave based on the personal significance they ascribe to items (Nickerson). For instance, minors who grow up in challenging backgrounds characterized by marital conflicts may develop a negative attitude and indulge in drug abuse.

The interactionism theory is relatively better than the other theories in understanding the societal issue of drug and substance abuse which is well associated with the profound prevalence of socio-economic inequality. Additionally, at the core of this theory is the fundamental emphasis that behavioral characteristics are shaped by the individual’s self-concept of identity, which is indeed the product of social interactions. It is a relatively comprehensive approach that views society from the individual’s perception rather than defining individualistic characteristics per society’s characteristics.

Description of the Phenomena

Drug addiction is a shared experience that has a cascading impact on the lives of people close to the addict. Drug addiction may initially seem to impact the user, but it has far-reaching consequences. This social issue that continues to take a toll on a fair share of the youthful population has many catalysts that are the product of society’s social and economic disparities. Among the catalysts factors of drug abuse in a society that is economically less endowed include; peer pressure, micro socio factors such as ego, the need for identity definition, and individual marginalization, as well as macro socio factors such as drug usage prevalence in the society, social economic marginalization’s as well as lack of economic and educational opportunities. Below are examples of drug addiction phenomena.

1. Among the most common drug addiction disorder is Phencyclidine Use Disorder, which is considered a type of hallucinogen. This drug is easily addictive due to the mental stimulation associated with it. Its prevalence of usage is among the teenage population, which can be attributed to peer pressure and socio-economic disparity within society.
2. Another prevalent substance abuse disorder is Stimulant Use Disorder, associated with the use of narcotic stimulants such as cocaine and methamphetamine. This disorder is prevalent among the youthful population worldwide. It is also much prevalent in low socio-economic viability neighborhoods.
3. Sedatives are also common among drug users in economically disadvantaged backgrounds as they seek to relieve anxiety and tension that is common in everyday lives. They are also primarily used for recreational purposes to relieve mental distress in users.

Analysis of Interactionism and Drug and Substance Abuse

Since biology and other sciences lack comprehensive and entirely satisfactory hypotheses to link the prevalence of Drug Abuse Disorder rationally, existing scientific genetic predisposition still fails to develop a direct link between drug usage prevalence and genetic factors. Interactionist sociologists perceive that drug and substance abuse runs on the fault lines of social inequality and is not relatively evenly distributed.

1. Peer pressure is among the key drivers of the observable differences in drug usage. This existing narcotic subculture creates an alternative break from the normal economically disadvantaged livelihoods and the significant psychological effects associated with narcotic drugs (GitHub). Considering the focus of Interactionism theory on the interaction of individuals, in this kind of social contact based on economic challenges, people might learn how to take drugs and acquire a variety of attitudes that support drug use and characterize a drug’s effects as pleasurable (GitHub).
2. Unemployment is well attributed to individual economic hardships, which overpowers other members of society in the long run. Existing research already sufficiently likens such economic downturns to heavy drug abuse. Recent research by Azagba et al. (8) indicates that tough economic times resulting from unemployment are catalysts of drug and substance abuse.
3. Poverty is still a significant issue that society has to grapple with. It is among the contributory factors to the prevalence of drug and substance abuse in society. Poverty is well attributed to causing certain attitudes, life circumstances, and behavioral transformations that drive young people into drug abuse (Shivalik and Chileshe 72).
4. Peer pressure from fellow peers with the same economic delinquency in society, as Shivalik and Chileshe (71) suggest, is indeed the real culprit of drug and substance abuse among minors living in economically marginalized backgrounds. Thus, since interactionism is grounded on the relationships between people, peer pressure can be viewed from the conceptual lens of being an agent of drug and substance abuse in economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
5. The unconducive home background is also an essential example of the social and economic inequality that leads to drug and substance abuse. As some families living in economically downgraded settings break up or are characterized by the prevalence of marital fights, minors may tend to embrace drug abuse (Shivalik and Chileshe 72). This drug indulgence could be pervasive in minors’ strategy to escape life’s constant disappointments present at home.

Conclusion

The interactionist theory efficiently analyzes the prevalence of drug and substance abuse and associated Drug Usage Disorders. Its effectiveness in analyzing this phenomenon is grounded on its firm approach that people develop specific characteristics based on their interactions with other members of society. Though other sociological theories, such as the functionalist theory, could be applied to analyze such a contentious social issue, they may fail to comprehensively analyze all the catalytic factors of drug abuse. Thus, the interactionist theory has been an effective tool for a better personal understanding of the societal phenomenon of drug and substance abuse through the socio-economic inequality lens. Indeed, I have developed a polished-up understanding of the issue of Substance Abuse Disorder within society.

Works Cited

Azagba, Sunday, et al. “Unemployment rate, opioids misuse, and other substance abuse: quasi-experimental evidence from treatment admissions data.” BMC Psychiatry 21.1 (2021): 1–9.

GitHub. “Explaining Drug Use.” GitHub, saylordotorg.github.io/text_social-problems-continuity-and-change/s10-04-explaining-drug-use.html.

Nickerson, C. “Symbolic Interactionism Theory & Examples.” Study Guides for Psychology Students – Simply Psychology, 12 Oct. 2021, www.simplypsychology.org/symbolic-interaction-theory.html.

Sáenz, E., et al. “Socio-economic inequalities and drug use disorders: Current knowledge and future directions for research and action.” National Institute on Drug Abuse, 4 Aug. 2020, nida.nih.gov/international/abstracts/socioeconomic-inequalities-drug-use-disorders-current-knowledge-future-directions-research-action.

Shivalik, Misheck, and Bernard Chileshe. “Perceptions of Stakeholders on the Causes of Drug Abuse among Primary School Learners in Shibuyunji District, Zambia.” Multidisciplinary Journal of Language and Social Sciences Education (2664-083X, Online ISSN: Print ISSN: 2616–4736) 5.1 2022: 69–78.