How Sociology & Psychology Influence Drug Abuse
Drug abuse refers to use of a controlled substance to the point that there are negative consequences. Sociology and psychology are two fields of study that offer different perspectives on the issue of drug abuse. Sociology puts emphasis on the social, cultural and environmental aspects that might influence drug abuse. In contrast, psychology examines the unconscious, mental factors that influence drug abuse. Drug abuse may be influenced by a combination of psychological and sociological factors.
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Definition
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Social context determines the definition of drug abuse. According to an article from DrugLibrary.org, the term "abuse" suggests negative behavior; however, from a sociological perspective, negative behavior depends upon context. What is negative in one situation may not be negative in another.
Sociology
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Sociological factors that may influence drug abuse can take many forms. A person's socioeconomic status may influence his decision to abuse drugs. People may abuse drugs as a means of coping with unpleasant social or environmental conditions such as poverty or abuse. Mass media or a person's peer group may in some way encourage or validate drug abuse. These are just a few possible sociological influences.
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Psychology
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In terms of drug abuse, psychology deals with a person's inner motivations, as opposed to her social situation, for abusing drugs. From a psychological perspective, people do not choose to use drugs to the point that their personal relationships are ruined, they go broke, or are imprisoned; instead, drug abuse is not viewed as a choice but rather an out-of-control addiction for which people are psychologically and/or biologically predisposed.
Considerations
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According to the California State University at Northridge website, "many cultural factors and environmental or social influences" are associated with drug abuse, but such factors do not account for all cases of drug abuse. From a psychological perspective, sociology does not adequately answer the question of why some people will abuse drugs while others in similar socioeconomic, cultural and environmental conditions will not.
Personality
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According to a 2009 article from PsychologyToday.com, the reason that some people will abuse drugs and become addicted while other people will not depends upon personality. The article states that 10 to 15 percent of the population have addictive personalities and are predisposed to addictive behavior. However, a 2005 article from MedicalNewsToday.com claims that even people with similar personalities will not all develop an addiction if cultural and environmental conditions provide healthier means of coping with their personality traits.
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References
- A Sociological Perspective on Drugs and Drug Use
- Greater Learning: "How Sociology and Psychology Influence Drug Abuse"
- California State University, Northridge: Drug Addiction
- Psychology Today: The Addictive Personality
- Medical News Today: Personality Traits and Craving Among Pathological Gamblers and Alcoholics
- Photo Credit alcoholic drink image by Horticulture from Fotolia.com
