1. BY Jari and Janine
Substance Abuse
From a Structural-Functionalist Perspective
2. Substance Abuse
Patterned use of a substance (drug) in which the
user consumes the substance in amounts or with
methods which are harmful to themselves or
others.
3. Substance Dependency
Also called “Drug Addiction”
A compulsive need to use drugs in order to
function normally. When such substances are
unobtainable, the user suffers from withdrawal.
4. Causes of Substance Abuse
Some causes of substance abuse include but are
not limited to:
Genetic Predisposition
The effect of the drug
Pain killers, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens etc
Peer Pressure
Emotional distress
Anxiety/ Depression
5. People Susceptible to Substance
Abuse
People who…
suffer with mental illness
have easy access to drugs
have low self-esteem and/or problems with
relationships
live an emotionally or economically stressful
lifestyle
live in a culture with high acceptance of drug use
6. Stages of substance abuse
Experimental
Recreational use, typically involving peers, in spite
of authority
Regular
Begins to disassociate from society, alienate from
family, and increases tolerance to drug
Daily preoccupation
Life revolves around drug use and may lead to use
of harder drugs, legal issues may increase
Dependence
Compulsive need to use drugs in order to function
properly, denies problem, physical toll, withdrawal
symptoms
7. Physical Warning Signs
Bloodshot eyes, pupils larger or smaller than
usual
Changes in appetite or sleeping patterns
Deterioration of physical appearance
Unusual smells on breath, body or clothing
Tremors, slurred speech, or impaired
coordination
8. Behavioural Warning Signs
Dropped attendance at school or work
Unexplained need for money or financial
problems
Engaging in secretive or suspicious
behaviours
Sudden changes in friends and hobbies
Frequently getting into trouble
9. Psychological Warning Signs
Unexplained change in personality or attitude
Sudden mood swings or irritability
Periods of unusual hyperactivity, agitation or
giddiness
Lack of motivation
Appears anxious or paranoid for no apparent
reason
10. Video
Video highlighting the physical effects that drug abuse
(in this case Meth) has on the outward appearance of
a person as well as the criminal behavior that
coincides with repeated drug use/abuse
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtNBfE6Eyvg
11. Treatment
Detoxification from drug use abruptly or gradually
May involve lowering drug use, or using a substitute
drug to decrease tolerance
Support
Personal counseling, counseling from friends and
family, group counseling
Abstinence
End of the abuse of substances
12. Potential Complications
Diseases from injections
– Bacterial endocarditis, hepatitis, thrombophlebitis etc
Depression
Drug overdose
Increase cancer rates
Ex. Lung and pharynx cancer with nicotine use
Memory and concentration issues
Problems with law
Relapse of drug abuse
Unsafe sexual practices
May result in unwanted pregnancies, STDs, HIV and
hep. B
13. Prevention
Drug abuse cannot be specifically prevented or
controlled. However, increasing awareness may
lower the rates of people beginning or increase
the rates of people stopping drug abuse
14. Structural-Functionalism
Substance abuse affect other parts of society in
negative ways
Crime rates will increase because addicts will
start to disregard social norms to get their next fix
by any means
Unemployment rates will increase because of
lack of motivation due to drug obsession
The combination of unemployment and expensive
substance habits will increase poverty and
homelessness in society
The need for financing support and treatment for
substance abusers affects the economy
15. Solutions
Intervening with the media
Often times drug use is romanticized in the media
making it look enticing, especially to teens. It is
important for caregivers to talk about what is seen
in the media.
Know the risk factors
If the risks of drug use are brought to young people
early, it may reduce the chance of them starting
drug abuse.
16. Treatment
For people who have begun using drugs or are
already abusing them, early treatment is best.
Treatments are catered to each specific person and
as well as solving drug dependency, it may help
with whatever problem started it in the first place
17. References
Disturbing Before And After Pictures Of Drug Abuse - It's Gonna
Save Your Life- Meth And Heroin. (2014, March 26). YouTube.
Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtNBfE6Eyvg
Drug dependence. (n.d.). Medline Plus. Retrieved March from
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article
Drug Use & Abuse. (n.d.). Sutter Health. Retrieved from
http://www.pamf.org/teen/risk/drugs/
Robinson, L. (n.d.). Drug Abuse & Addiction. Help Guide. Retrieved
from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/drug_substance
Sociological Theories of Substance Abuse. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.udel.edu/soc/tammya/pdf/crju369_theory.pdf