Sociological theories explain substance abuse as either a micro-level issue; the emphasize being on experiences or characteristics of individuals. Or on a macro-level in which substance abuse is seen as a societal phenomenon where social, cultural and economic factors shape conditions that create the risk of substance abuse.
There are many theories but here are a few that especially pertain to the issue of substance abuse.
Labeling Theory:
This theory is concerned with how individual’s self-identity and behavior can be based on the ideas or terms that classify them. Theorists believe that stigmas that are attached to drug users actually produce more drug use as users internalize the negative labels (or stigmas) and persist in the substance abuse as they see themselves as a drug user. They accept the role and see their identities as drug users.
Social Disorganization:
This theory explains crime and substance abuse as caused by the physical environment individuals live in. Theorists see different areas of one city as having different rates of crime, substance abuse and delinquency. Social disorganization is based on the idea that macro level factors influence individual’s behavior (which includes substance abuse). Such factors include neighborhood decay, poverty and crowding. These environmental factors create the setting for substances to be abused.
Social Control Theory:
This theory analyzes the reasons individuals conform and why. It is thought individuals conform due to a process of socialization which occurs from childhood to adulthood. The three entities that make of this process are from family, peers and schools in which attachment, commitment, involvement and belief are internalized by individuals. Deviance (including drug use and abuse) occurs when there is a lack of one of these elements.
There are many theories but here are a few that especially pertain to the issue of substance abuse.
Labeling Theory:
This theory is concerned with how individual’s self-identity and behavior can be based on the ideas or terms that classify them. Theorists believe that stigmas that are attached to drug users actually produce more drug use as users internalize the negative labels (or stigmas) and persist in the substance abuse as they see themselves as a drug user. They accept the role and see their identities as drug users.
Social Disorganization:
This theory explains crime and substance abuse as caused by the physical environment individuals live in. Theorists see different areas of one city as having different rates of crime, substance abuse and delinquency. Social disorganization is based on the idea that macro level factors influence individual’s behavior (which includes substance abuse). Such factors include neighborhood decay, poverty and crowding. These environmental factors create the setting for substances to be abused.
Social Control Theory:
This theory analyzes the reasons individuals conform and why. It is thought individuals conform due to a process of socialization which occurs from childhood to adulthood. The three entities that make of this process are from family, peers and schools in which attachment, commitment, involvement and belief are internalized by individuals. Deviance (including drug use and abuse) occurs when there is a lack of one of these elements.