Etiology of drug abuseaddiction

1
SW24D Drugs Society

• Etiology of drug abuse/addiction

2
Aim of the session

• Explore the theories that attempt to explain the
  phenomenon of substance abuse

3
Contemporary/Current perspectives

• Genetic
• Systems
• Behavioral
• Sociocultural
• Biopsychosocial theories

4
Genetic Theories

• Biologically inherited
• Heredity or environmental???
• Based on a medical model of addiction

5
Genetic Theory

• Theories leaning towards biological inherited
  reasons for development of addiction/substance
  abuse
• Intergenerational studies
• Twin studies,
• Adoption studies

6
Genetic Theory

• Findings though not establishing a definite cause
  of alcoholism demonstrates statistically a strong
  association between genetic factors and alcohol
  abuse

7
Genetic theory

• (1) alcoholism occur more frequently in some
  families than in others
• (2) concurrent alcoholism rates are higher in
  monozygotic twins than in dizygotic twins

8
Genetic theory

• (3) animal strains can be bred which have a
  preference for alcohol
• (4) adopted children closely resemble their
  biological parents than adoptive parents in their
  use of alcohol

9
Systems theory

• Interactions with others, notably the family of
  origin is the basis for intergenerational
  transmission of substance abuse

10
Systems theory

• Considers the family and larger social system for
  clues to the development of substance abuse
• Treats the family system as the patient, changing
  its structure or interactions as part of the
  recovery process

11
Systems theory

• Assumes the families change in the presence of a
  substance abuser. These changes can actually
  support the substance abuser
• Substance abuse can be a symptom of a larger
  malfunction within the family

12
Systems theory

• Considers family characteristics such as family
  member roles, boundaries and developmental stages
  when evaluating malfunctions of the family system

13
Systems theory

• Larger social systems
• Assessment of client takes into account micro,
  mezzo and macro systems within the clients
  social environment

14
Biopsychosocial theory

• Substance abuse results from the interaction of
  predisposing factors, sociological and
  psychological factors

15
Biopsychosocial theory

• Substance abusers are seen with the larger
  context encompassing all know influences for
  development of substance abuse

16
Sociocultural theories

• Multiple social pressures, such as unemployment,
  single-parent families and poverty foster the
  development of substance abuse
• Societal attitudes toward alcohol and drugs
  contribute to their use or non-use

17
Sociocultural theories

• Cultural factors, social pressures and
  environmental conditions foster the development
  of substance abuse and addictions.

18
Sociocultural theories

• Family and peer attitudes toward substances
  influence their usage

19
Behavioral theory

• Addictive behavior is maintained by reinforcement
  i.e. the rewarding aspects of drug consumption
  and the social setting.
• Reinforcement Behavior formation and maintenance

20
Behavioral theory

• Faulty learning patterns and trying to reduce
  stress is major component in the establishment
  and continuation of substance abuse

21
Behavioral theory

• Addictive behaviors are formed
• (1) the more rewarding or positive the
  experience, the greater the likelihood the
  behavior leading to the experience will be
  repeated
• (MacKay, Donovan Marlatt, 1991)

22
Behavioral theory

• (2) The greater the frequency of obtaining
  positive experiences through drug consumption the
  more likely that the drugs will be consumed again
• (MacKay, Donovan Marlatt, 1991)

23
Behavioral theory

• (3) the more closely in time the behavior (drug
  consumption) and the consequences of the behavior
  are experienced the more likely the behavior will
  be repeated (Childress, Ehrman, Rohsenow et al,
  1992) Conversely, the further