Introduction
The SUA issue is always significant, resulting in uncountable adverse effects among different groups. Due to this unwavering fact, it is key to examine the historical backdrop of drug use/abuse, with a particular emphasis on the profound influence of colonialism, marginalization, and oppression on persons grappling with addiction.
Nonetheless, it is prime to address the unique factors that must be taken into account while dealing with this particular demographic, such as the historical correlation between drug use/abuse and the field of social work. It is recommended for social workers (SWs) to apprehend the SUA history and other emerging issues around it, as well as factors to consider when dealing with drug addicts.
SUA Historical Context
Firstly, regarding history, there is a noteworthy connection between substance abuse and colonization. Some of the substances that European colonists brought to indigenous people were tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine. After a long time of using these substances, these persons became addicted and thus could be easily controlled and exploited by the European colonists.
LaVallie & Sasakamoose (2023) confirm this by stating, “Alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine had detrimental effects when consumed and ingested in harmful non-ceremonial ways as introduced through European manufacturing and use…” (p. 4). LaVallie and Sasakamooseproceed to mention that alcohol was known to be a “third great substance of abuse.” Alcohol was used for pleasure, including religious rites, throughout many global civilizations, except some islands in Oceania and selected North American Indian tribes.
Secondly, substance abuse led to stigmatization and criminalization, thereby disproportionately hurting underprivileged communities. Withrow (2022) particularizes that the drug prohibition laws ratified during the crack epidemic showed a severe lack of proportionality. This disproportionality was because they were not consistent with the prevailing rates of drug usage during that period. These laws were primarily rooted in stereotypes that served to defend the criminalization of persons belonging to racial minorities.
Besides, they gathered considerable backing through political discourse and media channels that exploited societal racist anxieties and apprehensions. Withrow (2022)proves this by saying, “…racial stereotypes was the driving force behind the War on Drugs in the 1980s and 1990s and the beginning of mass incarceration of poor people of color….” (p. 10). This shows how the War on Drugs led to extensive imprisonment, especially for the Black race.
Thirdly, there has been a notable transition in the perception of addiction, where it is perceived as a medical condition and not only crime-related. Withrow (2022) records that “…Instead of approaching drug use and addiction as a public health concern, legislators sought to criminalize it and react with policies focused on punishment instead of rehabilitation …” (p. 10). Withrow proceeds to give an example of the reaction to the opioid crisis. In this opioid calamity, the majority of those involved in drug use were White, and this led to a policy approach adoption that leaned toward rehabilitation.
SUA Special Considerations
Working with drug abusers requires SWs to take numerous factors into account. The SWs should be mindingcultural sensitivity, societal stigma and discrimination, Trauma-Informed Care (TIC), and social inequities. Firstly, it is essential to acknowledge and show respect for different cultural heritages. It is imperative to comprehend the potential effect of cultural norms and values on individuals’ association with drugs since cultural components possess the capacity to shape the perception and management of addiction significantly.
Soto et al. (2022) give an example of how cultural norms influenced American Indian and Alaska Natives(AIAN) drug usage. Adult men in AIAN were allowed to take three times more alcohol than females, and this was according to a cross-sectional poll. Soto and colleagues continue reporting that men drank 1–2 glasses of wine once per week. Conversely, they assert that women took 1-2 glasses once or twice per month. This is a typical instance of how culture can encourage drug usage, and, therefore, dealing with such addition needs a tactical plan so as not to demonstrate cultural disrespect.
Secondly, the SWs should find ways to eradicate stigmatization and discrimination among the victims. Rombough (2022) proved this by publishing that “users can receive confidential, non-judgmental support from fellow legal professionals or students who have gone through similar experiences…” (p. 55). This remark is used to explain the kind of service rendered by the Member Assistance Program, which is known to be a drug addiction professional counselor.
In the recovery journey, the drug addict’s probability of requesting aid relies on some conditions. One of the conditions is confidentiality; people with an addiction want to be protected from public exposure to avoid being stigmatized. On the other hand, a non-judgmental environment makes it easier for the victims to reach out for necessary help and support.
Thirdly, the SWs should consider social inequalities and implement TIC. Mefodeva et al. (2023) affirm that “Addressing underlying trauma issues in substance use treatment was perceived to lead to a more successful recovery…” (p. 186). This means that SWS should include a trauma-informed approach in their practices to comprehend and address the fundamental trauma experienced by individuals throughout the process of healing.
Generally, SWs must acknowledge that systemic disparities are major driving elements to drug abuse (Amaroet al., 2021). These disparities entail poverty and inadequacy of proper healthcare and education. To rescue such addicts, it becomes paramount for SWs to advocate for policy reforms to rectify such inequalities.
Conclusion
In summary, it is essential to comprehend the historical backdrop of drug abuse as well as the distinguishing difficulties faced by SWs when helping persons battling with addiction. People subscribe to substance abuse for many reasons, and to identify these motives, SWs must understand communal social variations. Therefore, SWs need to be informed about cultural sensitivity, stigma mitigation, treatment, and social discrepancies in addiction treatment.
References
Amaro, H., Sanchez, M., Bautista, T., & Cox, R. (2021). Social vulnerabilities for substance use: Stressors, socially toxic environments, and discrimination and racism. Neuropharmacology, 188, 1-14. Web.
LaVallie, C., & Sasakamoose, J. (2023). Promoting indigenous cultural responsivity in addiction treatment work: the call for neurodecolonization policy and practice. Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse, 22(3), 1-19. Web.
Mefodeva, V., Carlyle, M., Walter, Z., & Hides, L. (2023). Client and staff perceptions of the integration of trauma informed care and specialist posttraumatic stress disorder treatment in residential treatment facilities for substance use: A qualitative study. Drug and Alcohol Review, 42(1), 181-192. Web.
Rombough, M. (2022). Understanding Mental Health, Burnout, and Substance Abuse among Legal Professionals in Canada (Doctoral dissertation, Mount Royal University). 1-58. Web.
Soto, C., West, A. E., Ramos, G. G., & Unger, J. B. (2022). Substance and behavioral addictions among American Indian and Alaska native populations. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(5), 1-15. Web.
Withrow, T. (2022). The war on drugs, moral panics, and the Groundhog Day effect: Confronting the stereotypes that perpetuate the cycle of disparity. The Mid-Southern Journal of Criminal Justice, 3(1), 1-24. Web.