Sociology of Addiction

1970’s 1970’s Examines drug use in its social context Examines drug use in its social context Viewed as a product of social conditions and relationships that cause problems Viewed as a product of social conditions and relationships that cause problems Usually found in deprived socioeconomic environments Usually found in deprived socioeconomic environments Viewed as a process of disintegration  the more dependent and compulsive, the more isolated and antisocial Viewed as a process of disintegration  the more dependent and compulsive, the more isolated and antisocial

SOCIALIZATION The process by which we are taught culture; the way we are raised The process by which we are taught culture; the way we are raised Addiction = Addiction = 1. “Failed” socialization  socially accepted norms are not acquired 2. “Negative” socialization  socially unacceptable norms are acquired (a form of rebellion)

CORRELATIONS = an association between two + variables = an association between two + variables Does NOT indicate causation Does NOT indicate causation Positive r = more X, more Y Positive r = more X, more Y Negative r = more X, less Y Negative r = more X, less Y

Family Influences 1970’s  family breakdown/divorce 1970’s  family breakdown/divorce If loss occurs after age 12, major influence If loss occurs after age 12, major influence 1990’s  family structure no longer regarded as a contributing factor 1990’s  family structure no longer regarded as a contributing factor Relationships  addicted youths describe parents as over-protective or non-caring Relationships  addicted youths describe parents as over-protective or non-caring Interpret with caution!! (data collected AFTER youths have already been labeled) Interpret with caution!! (data collected AFTER youths have already been labeled)

Family Influences cont’d Modeling of Parents  link most powerful with same sex parent **strong +r Modeling of Parents  link most powerful with same sex parent **strong +r Strong, secure attachments insulate child from negative peer pressure Strong, secure attachments insulate child from negative peer pressure Permissive and authoritarian parenting styles associated with substance abuse Permissive and authoritarian parenting styles associated with substance abuse Authoritative parenting style associated with healthiest outcomes Authoritative parenting style associated with healthiest outcomes

Peer Influences Stronger if parental influences weak Stronger if parental influences weak Substance use closely tied to peer group membership Substance use closely tied to peer group membership Influences do not play a role in leading to addiction Influences do not play a role in leading to addiction

Media Influences Leads us to look for “quick fix” Leads us to look for “quick fix” Narrow representations of reality may lead to feelings of inadequacy Narrow representations of reality may lead to feelings of inadequacy Advertising exploits most vulnerable Advertising exploits most vulnerable Most dramatic impact on eating disorders  unrealistic ideals of beauty Most dramatic impact on eating disorders  unrealistic ideals of beauty

Sociological Theories of Drug Abuse #1: ANOMIE “normlessness”  2 features: “normlessness”  2 features: 1) Lack of social constraints on individual behaviour 1) Lack of social constraints on individual behaviour 2) Weak cohesion (i.e. personal rewards trump concern for the wider society) 2) Weak cohesion (i.e. personal rewards trump concern for the wider society) N.A. culture  economic success = absolute value N.A. culture  economic success = absolute value Many experience a contradiction b/w goals and means  results in strain and estrangement  ultimately leads to a state of anomie Many experience a contradiction b/w goals and means  results in strain and estrangement  ultimately leads to a state of anomie

4 Ways of Responding: 1) Conformity  scale down aspirations, live by conventional norms 2) Rebellion  reject conventional norms, seek to recreate norms (i.e. hippy commune) 3) Innovation  use of illegitimate means to gain success (i.e. drug trafficking) 4) Retreatism  abandon conventional norms in favour of more attainable goals (i.e. getting high)

Retreatism Fear of failure hypothesis: “unconsciously, despair seem[s] familiar and inevitable, and success seem[s] foreign and unattainable” (Abidinsky pp. 174) Fear of failure hypothesis: “unconsciously, despair seem[s] familiar and inevitable, and success seem[s] foreign and unattainable” (Abidinsky pp. 174) Attempt to cope with a failure to integrate Attempt to cope with a failure to integrate An addicted lifestyle is less painful than living with the social void/ rejected identity An addicted lifestyle is less painful than living with the social void/ rejected identity Drug dependence serves “as a strategy to remove the individual from competitive situations in which defeat is almost certain.” (ibid pp. 176) Drug dependence serves “as a strategy to remove the individual from competitive situations in which defeat is almost certain.” (ibid pp. 176)

#2 SOCIAL CONTROL The strength of an individual’s bond to society is a determining factor The strength of an individual’s bond to society is a determining factor Strength of social bonds is determined by internal and external constraints Strength of social bonds is determined by internal and external constraints Internal constraints  our capacity to feel guilt/remorse Internal constraints  our capacity to feel guilt/remorse External constraints  society’s capacity to instill fear of punishment/disapproval External constraints  society’s capacity to instill fear of punishment/disapproval Cost-Benefit analysis measured in terms of risk and reward Cost-Benefit analysis measured in terms of risk and reward

#3 Subcultures/Cultural Deviance Patterns of values and norms are unique, and over time, become entrenched or “traditional” Patterns of values and norms are unique, and over time, become entrenched or “traditional” i.e. lower socio-economic/“youth” culture i.e. lower socio-economic/“youth” culture 1) Trouble 2) Toughness 3) Smartness 4) Excitement 5) Autonomy