Substance use disorder (SUD) is a multifactorial health problem that is increasingly critical in society. The various reasons for the abuse of opioids, alcohol, and nicotine account for the challenge in research and treatment. The factors that influence addiction can be divided into biological and psychological, each of which has a particular causal relationship. Thus, the health sector must direct study efforts in each of them in order to timely identify and address risk groups.
Biological factors for SUD are genetic traits that manifest themselves through drug and phenotype interactions. Understanding the consequences of taking certain drugs allows doctors to track the body’s response and predict addiction, which can be a non-invasive way to prevent abuse. It has been noted that an individual’s unique genetic code can react differently to certain opioids, which provokes multiple deviations in neurotransmission (Prom-Wormley et al., 2017). Thus, the biological prerequisites for SUD are inherited characteristics of the organism that make obsession more possible.
The psychological reasons for SUD are self-doubt, infantilism, and unwillingness to change life for the better. In other words, a person is at risk in the absence of mental motivation to become independent and thriving in a social and personal context. On the other hand, the individual uses drugs for pleasure in the here and now, which is indicative of an infantile approach to problem-solving. Psychoactive substances can be a reaction to harmful elements in the environment that challenge moral well-being.
Life satisfaction, demographic status, and community are social factors for SUD. It is apparent that the environment, traditions, and values influence the worldview, including the desire to take psychoactive substances apart from the treatment process. The person communicates with individuals who have already tried it or think that it will improve their reputation. Besides, dopes can seem like a way out of a family or personal crisis. Drug use is perceived as usual in some communities and reflects its social values.
Cultural factors for SUD are rooted in religious and personal beliefs. It has been noted that some communities follow the traditions of their ancestors and use psychoactive substances for meditation and communication with supernatural beings (De La Rosa et al., 2016). In turn, long-term abuse leads to addiction and associated physical and mental health problems. Family ties may be a predictor of SUD based on years of experience in drug use for medicinal and enlightenment purposes. Thus, the cultural prerequisites for addiction consist of religious preference and respect for community values.
Situational factors for SUD are composed of psychological and social predictors. The environment influences individuals’ mental well-being and worldview and, accordingly, can transform their attitude to narcotics. Situational scenarios are defined as instances in which a person feels a short-term desire to use a psychoactive substance for pleasure, stress relief, or group enthusiasm support. It is essential to understand that these factors depend on people’s psychological characteristics and the values of their social environment. Thus, situationism is an incentive for decision-making when other individuals or situations show drugs as frivolous ways of getting satisfaction.
SUD is challenging to research as biological and subconscious factors become more and more diversified. A person may be predisposed to an addiction to certain substances due to genetics, but the environment and social determinants can impact decision making. Besides, cultural and religious biases inherently form a worldview in which narcotics are tools for achieving spiritual enlightenment. Thus, each SUD scenario must be examined individually based on the patient’s demographic, physiological, and psychological determinants.
References
De La Rosa, M., Huang, H., Brook, J., Sanchez, M., Rojas, P., & Kanamori, M., Cano M., & Martinez M. (2016). Sociocultural determinants of substance misuse among adult Latinas of Caribbean and South and Central American descent: A longitudinal study of a community-based sample. Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse, 17(3), 303-323.
Prom-Wormley, E., Ebejer, J., Dick, D., & Bowers, M. (2017). The genetic epidemiology of substance use disorder: A review. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 180, 241-259.