SSE – 110SSE – 110Introduction to Introduction to

Social Welfare and Social Welfare and Social WorkSocial Work

Chapter 8Chapter 8

Drug Abuse and Drug Drug Abuse and Drug Treatment ProgramsTreatment Programs

Drugs and Drug AbuseDrugs and Drug Abuse Pharmacologically, a drug is any substance Pharmacologically, a drug is any substance

that chemically alters the function or structure that chemically alters the function or structure of a living organism.of a living organism.

In a social problems approach, a drug is any In a social problems approach, a drug is any habit forming substance that directly affects habit forming substance that directly affects the brain and nervous system.the brain and nervous system.

Drug abuse is the regular or excessive use of a Drug abuse is the regular or excessive use of a drug when, as defined by a group, the drug when, as defined by a group, the consequences endanger relationships with consequences endanger relationships with other people, are detrimental to the user’s other people, are detrimental to the user’s health or jeopardize society itself.health or jeopardize society itself.

OTC – over the counter drugs (aspirin).OTC – over the counter drugs (aspirin). Abuse of prescription drugs (valium).Abuse of prescription drugs (valium).

Drugs and Drug AbuseDrugs and Drug Abuse A characteristic of habit-forming drugs is A characteristic of habit-forming drugs is

that they lead to a dependency, with the that they lead to a dependency, with the user developing a craving for them.user developing a craving for them.

This dependency may be physically, This dependency may be physically, psychologically, or both.psychologically, or both.

Drug addiction is the intense craving for a Drug addiction is the intense craving for a drug that develops after a period of drug that develops after a period of physical dependency from heavy use.physical dependency from heavy use.

A Brief History of Our Drug-A Brief History of Our Drug-Taking SocietyTaking Society

The pilgrims – 1620 – wine and beer.The pilgrims – 1620 – wine and beer. Civil War – soldiers treated with narcotics and Civil War – soldiers treated with narcotics and

many became addicted.many became addicted. In 1900, about 1% of the population was In 1900, about 1% of the population was

addicted to a narcotic drug.addicted to a narcotic drug. Marijuana use has occurred throughout our Marijuana use has occurred throughout our

history.history. Marijuana use became popular, after being Marijuana use became popular, after being

made illegal to use early 20made illegal to use early 20thth century, during century, during the 60’s and 70’s.the 60’s and 70’s.

Alcohol use (prohibition from 1919 – 1933).Alcohol use (prohibition from 1919 – 1933).

Sociological Theories of Sociological Theories of Drug AbuseDrug Abuse

Anomie Theory – (seeking of life’s goals through Anomie Theory – (seeking of life’s goals through inappropriate / deviant means). People use drugs or inappropriate / deviant means). People use drugs or alcohol due to frustration of not being able to attain alcohol due to frustration of not being able to attain their goals.their goals.

Labeling Theory – (self-fulfilling prophesy).Labeling Theory – (self-fulfilling prophesy). Differential Association – (birds of a feather flock Differential Association – (birds of a feather flock

together). Take on the values of your sub group.together). Take on the values of your sub group.

Drug SubculturesDrug Subcultures A group of peers who advocates the use of one or A group of peers who advocates the use of one or

more drugs can be called a drug subculture (most more drugs can be called a drug subculture (most drug taking occurs in a social group that approves drug taking occurs in a social group that approves the use of the drug).the use of the drug).

Juvenile gangs and drug use and selling of drugs.Juvenile gangs and drug use and selling of drugs.

Facts about and Effects of Facts about and Effects of Commonly Used DrugsCommonly Used Drugs

Depressants (alcohol, PCP, tranquilizers, Depressants (alcohol, PCP, tranquilizers, barbiturates).barbiturates).

See table 8.1 – page 253-254.See table 8.1 – page 253-254. 1990 – study found that women’s stomachs 1990 – study found that women’s stomachs

are less effective at neutralizing alcohol than are less effective at neutralizing alcohol than men, thus they become intoxicated quicker.men, thus they become intoxicated quicker.

See table 8.2 – page 255 – B.A.L.See table 8.2 – page 255 – B.A.L. See pages 274 – 275 – Who Drinks?See pages 274 – 275 – Who Drinks? Case Exhibit 8.1 – page 257.Case Exhibit 8.1 – page 257. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome – page 258.Fetal Alcohol Syndrome – page 258.

Facts about and Effects of Facts about and Effects of Commonly Used DrugsCommonly Used Drugs

Stimulants (caffeine, amphetamines, cocaine Stimulants (caffeine, amphetamines, cocaine and crack, amyl nitrate and butyl nitrate). and crack, amyl nitrate and butyl nitrate). (poppers).(poppers).

Narcotics (heroin, opium, and morphine).Narcotics (heroin, opium, and morphine). The opiates are in all derived from the opium The opiates are in all derived from the opium

poppy, which grows in many countries poppy, which grows in many countries (Turkey, Southeast Asia, and Columbia).(Turkey, Southeast Asia, and Columbia).

Crack babies – exhibit 8.4 – page 265.Crack babies – exhibit 8.4 – page 265. Hallucinogens (psychedelic drugs – LSD).Hallucinogens (psychedelic drugs – LSD). TobaccoTobacco Marijuana (comes from the hemp plant).Marijuana (comes from the hemp plant). HashishHashish Anabolic steroids - synthetic derivatives of the Anabolic steroids - synthetic derivatives of the

male hormones – testosterone.male hormones – testosterone.

Rehabilitation ProgramsRehabilitation Programs Alcohol Treatment Programs (AA)Alcohol Treatment Programs (AA) Other drug treatment programsOther drug treatment programs Inpatient programsInpatient programs Outpatient programsOutpatient programs Self-help programsSelf-help programs Therapeutic Communities – long term Therapeutic Communities – long term

programsprograms Half housesHalf houses Treatment using drugsTreatment using drugs Understanding and treating codependencyUnderstanding and treating codependency

Suggestions for Curbing Suggestions for Curbing Drug Abuse in the FutureDrug Abuse in the Future

Educational Programs (DARE).Educational Programs (DARE). Prevention of illegal drug trafficking across Prevention of illegal drug trafficking across

borders.borders. Employee drug testing programs.Employee drug testing programs. Stricter laws and enforcement.Stricter laws and enforcement. Decriminalization of drug use.Decriminalization of drug use. The Netherlands approach vs. the U.S. The Netherlands approach vs. the U.S.

approach.approach.