Introduction
For a long time, chemical dependency has been a leading social problem in the American society. Doweiko (2009) also notes that chemical dependency is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States (Doweiko, 2009). There are many forms of chemical dependency but the main ones are cigarette smoking, alcohol, cocaine, hallucinogens, and marijuana. The purpose of this essay is to examine the status of chemical dependency in the United States. Specifically, the essay examines the various sociocultural determinants of chemical dependency and cost of substance abuse. The link between substance abuse, crime, accidents, suicide, and homicide shall also be examined. Additionally, the essay shall explore the dynamics of addiction, including various defense mechanisms like fantasy, displacement, and rationalization.
Sociocultural Determinants of Substance Abuse
Social Categories
Social categories like gender, race, and class influence an individual’s exposure to marginalization and access to resources. Marginalized people or people from low socio-economic class have a higher probability of abusing drugs in comparison with
their counterparts from a higher socio-economic class (Perkinson, 2011).
Socio-economic Environment
According to Perkinson (2011), drug use is also linked to income inequality. The author notes that low income individuals are more likely to suffer from chronic stress and end up abusing drugs.
Physical Environment
Overcrowding and poor quality housing can lead to depression, lack of self-identity, and insecurity. People living in such an environment are therefore likely to seek solace in drugs (Daweiko, 2009). In addition, the high concentration of public housing facilitates drug trafficking and crime.
Cost of Drug Abuse
Drug abuse costs the U.S government an estimated $ 600 billion annually. These costs come in the form of lost work productivity, crime, and health care. Illicit drugs and tobacco use account for $ 193 billion each, while alcohol accounts for $ 235 billion (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2012).
Widespread Use of Drugs
Substance abuse is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. According to The University of Utah Health Sciences Center (2013), substance abuse accounts for over 50,000 deaths annually. The prevalence of substance abuse is the highest among the youths aged between 18 and 25 years.
Drugs and Crime
In 2007, over 1.4 million Americans were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. The link between drug addiction and crime is very clear. For instance, according to a report by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (2013), nearly 80% of the inmates in state prisons abuse drugs.
Suicide, Homicide, Interpersonal Relationships and Drugs
There is a strong link between drug abuse and suicide risk. Drug abusers are 6 times more likely to attempt suicide than the rest of the population (Ilngens & Kleinberg, 2011). Drug abuse accounts for over 50% of men who attempt to murder their partners. In a study conducted by Sharps et al. (2003) to investigate homicide and violence among intimate partners, the researchers revealed that in two thirds of the cases, the offender was under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
Substance abuse has huge effects on interpersonal relationships in that it results in neglected families, domestic violence, infidelity, traumatized children, physical violence, and financial hardships. At the workplace, substance abuse can create disharmony among workmates.
Dynamics of Addiction
Addiction entails psychological, social, and biological processes. There are four main aspects of addiction:
Compulsion
Compulsion entails loss of control to the point that a drug addict feels compelled to use drugs. According to Fishbein and Pease (1996), he/she might try to regulate drug use without success.
Craving
Craving entails intense psychological desire to use the substance.
Denial
The user fails to see the consequences and risks of using the substance.
Continued Use in spite of Adverse Harmful Results
The person still uses the drug despite knowing the risks involved. Some of the risks include health, relationships, and financial risks. He/she gives priority to the use of drugs over relationships, health, and finances.
Defense Mechanisms
The person cuts off from reality and lives in a world of fantasy. Some of the most common defense mechanisms include:
Rationalization/Intellectualization
This is a form of neurotic defense where the person makes an excuse for his behavior. Since the truth seems very frightening, substance abuse seems like the only option (Doweiko, 2009). This defense mechanism entails the use of cognitive rationalization to justify otherwise unacceptable belief, behaviors, or attitudes (for example, blaming the family or spouse for one’s problems).
Denial
By now, everything about the drug addict seems to be going wrong but he/she still thinks that the situation can be fixed. The person attributes his problems to other things but not the addiction (Perkinson, 2011).
Projection
This is a situation where the client unconsciously rejects self-hatred and unloads it on others. For example, the drug addict may attribute to others the behavior, intentions, or motives that they do not find acceptable.
Conclusion
Chemical dependency is a disease that requires the victim to take an active role in the treatment. Addiction is based on a platform of psychological defense mechanisms like denial, projection, and rationalization. Chemical dependency is a form of insanity that can only be combated through openness, honesty, and willingness to change one’s behavior.
Reference List
Doweiko, H. E. (2009). Concepts of Chemical Dependency. New York: Cengage Learning.
Fishbein, D.H., & Pease, S.E. (1996). The dynamics of drug abuse. Boston, Mass.: Allyn & Bacon.
Ilngens, M., & Kleinberg, F. (2011). The Link Between Substance Abuse, Violence, and Suicide. Web.
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence 2013. Alcohol, Drugs and Crime. Web.
National Institute on Drug Abuse 2012. Costs of substance abuse. Web.
Perkinson, R. R. (2011). Chemical Dependency Counselling: A Practical Guide. New York: Sage.
Sharps, P., Campbell, J.C., Campbell, D., Gary, F., & Webster, D. (2003). Risky Mix: rinking, Drug Use, and Homicide. NIJ Journal, 250, 2-6.
The University of Utah Health Sciences 2013. Incidence and prevalence of substance abuse. Web.