1. Alcohol and Other Drugs
Chapter 8
Alcohol and Other Drugs

2. Drug Use and Abuse Drug:
Any substance, other than food or water, that when taken into the body alters its functioning
Therapeutic vs. recreational (purpose vs. pleasure)
Licit and Illicit (legal vs. illegal)
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3. Drug Use and Abuse Drug abuse: Drug addiction:
Excessive/inappropriate use of a drug; results in a physical, mental, or social impairment
Drug addiction:
Psychological or physiological need for a drug to maintain sense of well-being:
And avoid withdrawal symptoms
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4. Subjective vs. Objective View of Drug Abuse
Objective component is physical, psychological, or social evidence of harm
Subjective component is people’s perceptions about the consequences
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5. Subjective vs. Objective View of Drug Abuse
Example: Marijuana vs. Alcohol
Subjectively our society believes marijuana is harmful and should remain illegal:
While alcohol is harmless and should stay legal
Objectively no little evidence that marijuana is harmful
But much evidence of alcohol and it’s dangers
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6. Major Patterns of Drinking
Social drinkers:
Drink primarily on social occasions, from occasionally to frequently
Heavy drinkers:
Consume greater quantities of alcohol and are more likely to become intoxicated
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7. Major Patterns of Drinking
Acute alcoholics:
Have trouble controlling use of alcohol and plan their schedule around drinking
Chronic alcoholics:
Have lost control over drinking and hide or sneak drinks
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8. Alcohol: Class, Gender, Age and Race
The wealthy have greater resources and privacy than lower-income individuals to:
Avoid a “drunk” or “alcoholic” label
More men than women drink, and men are more likely to be labeled alcoholic
Before age 30, Whites consume more alcohol than Blacks
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9. Alcohol-Related Social Problems
Health problems
Nutritional deficiencies, adult-onset diabetes, alcoholic dementia, cardiovascular problems
Alcoholic cirrhosis, and fetal alcohol syndrome
Alcohol in the workplace
Lost productivity, cost of treatment, injuries
Drinking and driving
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10. Alcohol-Related Social Problems
70 percent of drivers involved in a fatal drunk-driving crash had a BAC of 0.15 or higher
Family problems
Domestic abuse and violence
Patterns of codependency when family:
Unwittingly aid the alcoholic’s excessive drinking and resulting behavior
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11. Figure 8.1 Percentage of drivers involved in fatal crashes with blood alcohol levels of 0.08 or higher, 2009, by gender
Source: NCSA, 2010.
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12. Tobacco Use as a Social Problem
Health Problems:
Cancer of the lungs, larynx, mouth, and esophagus
Bronchitis, emphysema, ulcers, and cardiovascular disorders
Shorter life expectancy
½ pack a day reduces lifespan by 4 years
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13. Tobacco Use as a Social Problem
Low birth weight babies
Environmental (second hand)tobacco
75% of nicotine ends up in the air
Why do people still smoke?
Nicotine is highly addictive
Good marketing by tobacco companies
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14. Prescription and Over-the-Counter Drugs
Iatrogenic addiction
Long-term/high use of prescription drugs
Initially prescribed by a physician for a medical purpose
Controversial Drugs
Ritalin and Prozac over-prescribed
Teens and Prescription Drugs
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15. Over the Counter Drugs
These types of drugs are not linked to significant addiction
Most popular OTC drugs: sleep aids, aspirin and ibuprofen, cold medication
Caffeine is a dependency-producing psychoactive stimulant
Found in coffee, tea, soda, chocolate
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16. Marijuana Use and Abuse
Heavy use can impair concentration and motivation
High doses during pregnancy can disrupt fetal development
Inhalation has been linked to lung problems
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17. Figure 8.2 Marijuana as first specific drug associated with initiation of illicit drug use among past year illicit drug initiates age twelve or older: 2009
Note: The percentages do not add to 100 percent due to rounding or because a small number of respondents initiated multiple drugs on the same day. The first specfic drug refers to the one that was used on the occasion of first-time use of any illicit drug.
Source: SAMHSA, 2010.
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18. Stimulant Use and Abuse
Cocaine and amphetamines are among the major stimulants abused in the U.S.
Cocaine comes in two forms: powder and crack
Men more likely to use than women
Research shows that crack use is higher among inner-city, African American & Latino/a
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19. Stimulant Use and Abuse
Law enforcement policies and practices may target minorities
Amphetamines come in form of diet pills and pep formulas
Chronic amphetamine abuse can result in amphetamine psychosis
Paranoia, hallucinations, & violent tendencies
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20. Depressants Common: Barbiturates, Anti-anxiety drugs
Low doses produce relaxing feeling, higher does result in sedation
Users may develop both physical addiction and psychological dependency
Rophynol: “date rape drug” used with alcohol very dangerous & can cause death
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21. Narcotics and Hallucinogens
Natural forms: opium, morphine, codeine
Opiate Derivatives: heroin and Percodan
Heroin is the most widely used drug
Hallucinogens:
Produce hallucinations
LSD, “angel dust”, and “ecstasy”
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22. Perspectives on Drug Abuse
Biological
Alcohol, heroin, cocaine act on brain mechanisms; reward and punishment
Psychological
Social learning and reinforcement
Personality disorders
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23. Sociological Explanations
Symbolic Interactionist
Drug behavior is learned and influenced by families, peers, and others
Time with members of a drug subculture increases attitudes & behaviors toward drugs
Once labeled an “alcoholic” or “drug addict,” he or she will have difficultly discontinuing use
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24. Sociological Explanations
Functionalist
Drugs serve functions in society
Prescription and over the counter drugs help patients
They help doctors treat patients, justify their fees
Provide jobs for pharmacists
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25. Sociological Explanations
Drugs are also dysfunctional
Dysfunctional because people can become addicted
Illicit drug activities serve important societal functions (create jobs for DEA agents)
Dysfunctional because they are linked to crime, addiction, and other social problems
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26. Sociological Explanations
Conflict
People in positions of power determine what is legal and illegal
Make drugs used by the powerless illegal
Corporate interests perpetuate use and abuse of legal drugs
Manipulation of nicotine levels to addict users
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27. Prevention and Treatment Programs
Primary prevention
Programs that seek to prevent drug problems before they begin
Secondary prevention
Programs seek to:
Limit extent of drug abuse
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28. Prevention and Treatment Programs
Prevent spread to other substances beyond those already experienced
Teach strategies for responsible use of illicit drugs
Tertiary prevention
Programs that seek to limit relapses by individuals in recovery
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29. Map 8.1 Main sources of illegal drugs imported into the United States.
Source: U.S. Department of State, 2011.
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