The Theory Of Substance Dependention

According to the Diagnostic Statistic Manual 5 (DSM-5) substance use disorder is when the individual has a dependency on alcohol or drug, followed by penetrating craving and antisocial behavior to acquire the substance. The terms substance abuse and substance dependence refer to substance use disorder, which has been separated into three classifications as follows

Substance-related disorders: these can be mainly drug or alcohol related it when people are addicted to these substances

The definitions have progressed from tolerance or withdrawal symptoms from a specific drug to chronic intoxication, continued use with increased dosage, dependence, and damaging effects to user (Reinarman 2005). Both of these definitions proved to be too restrictive because all drugs do not have the same effects on every user. The current definition used by physicians and the criminal justice system is based on seven criteria (Reinarman 2005). The constant evolution of how the professional world views drug dependence mirrors society’s change in the understanding of addiction. Historically, “the drink” was viewed as the devil and drugs were often thought to be the cause of many criminal acts (Schneider 2003). After the medicalization of addiction and dawn of decriminalization of drug abuse, public opinion of deviant alcohol and drug use has changed. For the family unit, it is much simpler to accept and approach treatment for addiction if it is classified as a medical disease. In society, drug users can be framed as patients instead of criminals based on current standards. By looking at addiction as a treatable set of signs and symptoms instead of holding the individual accountable for actions they committed while intoxicated, the disease concept releases a lot of the stigma that goes along with

There are many models and theories which attempt to explain the causes of substance misuse and dependence. They range from those which highlight the importance of genetic and biological factors to those which stress social and psychological factors and those which may consider the ‘blame’ to be that of the dependent individual (Rassool 2009).

The definition provided above is accessible and easy to understand; however, it initiates false beliefs among individuals because it fails to acknowledge that drug addiction is a mental health problem. Moreover, when words such as, “dependence”, “control” and “craving” are used to define drug addiction, it leaves an impression to the reader that addicts are indeed “people who cannot control their impulses.” Consequently, when we fail to recognize that drug addiction is a mental health problem, our focus is diverted towards the physical aspect of drug addiction. This could cause the belief among individuals that drugs alone cause the addiction. It is essential to acknowledge that there are chemical hooks in drugs; however, individuals need to understand that drugs alone do not cause the addiction. We need to identify and distinguish the “root cause” of addiction and ask ourselves: what caused the individual to take the drug in the first place?

A “Substance Use Disorder” is new to the DSM-5. Previously, the terms “abuse” and “dependence” where used instead. In general, the DSM-5 considers a Substance Use Disorder to be recurrent drug use that causes impairment and continued use despite substance use related problems. The DSM-5 also focuses on how substance use causes a change in brain functioning. The change is primarily responsible for intense drug cravings, as well as repeated relapses. Finally, the DSM-5 divides the criteria for Substance Use Disorder into four groupings: impaired control (Criteria 1-4), social impairment (Criteria 5-7), risky use (Criteria 8 and 9), and pharmacological criteria (Criteria

Substance abuse is the harmful or dangerous use of any psychoactive substances including drugs, alcohol and even tobacco. The term ‘Substance Abuse’, as understood today was first used in 1987’s DSM-IIIR, before that social & cultural factors were not considered. Even with that change, many Americans still today consider drug and alcohol abuse to be moral weakness or character defect.

Substance use addiction is a multifaceted occurrence that challenges the unpretentious and tradition clarification or explanation (Frances, Miller, & Mack, 2011). According to Frances, et al., there is an interwoven collaboration of influences that contributes to an individual 's experimentation with, consumption, and perhaps succeeding abuse of drugs (2011). Regardless of the combination of causative dynamics, the actions and effects employed by drugs of abuse cause all substance abuse and compulsion.

Substance abuse disorders is easily defined when an “individual continues to use the substance despite experiencing negative consequences from their use. These negative consequences can include health problems; difficulties in their family, work, and social life; and financial and legal problems. They are said to be dependent on the substance when,” in addition to theses negative consequences, they build tolerance and experience withdrawal if they stop using the drug” (Martin, 2007, p. 265). Substance abuse dates back to the early Americans colonies with beer that was brought over by the pilgrims and more popularly the ratification of the Constitution to prohibit the use of alcohol

Alcohol is the most commonly abused drug in the United States. Alcohol abuse is defined as a pattern of drinking that results in failure to fulfill responsibilities at work, school, or home; drinking in dangerous situations; having recurring alcohol-related legal problems; and continued use despite having medical, social, family, or interpersonal problems caused by or worsened by drinking (APA, 1994). Approximately fourteen percent of people experience alcohol dependence at some point during their lives (Kessler et al., 1997). Alcohol dependence refers to a more serious kind of alcohol use disorder and involves three or more of the following: tolerance, withdrawal, drinking more over a longer period of time, inability to cut down or stop, spending a great deal of time drinking, and giving up important social, recreational or occupational activities (Cunha, 2014).

There are several psychological factors that exist in the adolescent with substance and chemical dependency disorders. The moods of these adolescents are not stable and they are more prone to depression. They have various emotional and behavioral difficulties. Adolescents with these disorders also tend to have learning disabilities and psychiatric disturbances. (Jorgenson and Salwen, 2008) According to the research of Terry Brown, “Psychological dependence for long term users is more likely; some have mental health problems such as confusion, sleep disorder depression and paranoia.”

The World Health Organization defines drug dependency as a psychic, sometimes physical state resulting from the interaction between a living organism and a drug (Freidrich, 2010). It is characterized by behavioral responses in which always includes a compulsion to take the drug in continuous and periodic way to experiment its psychic effects and, sometimes, to avoid the inconvenience of their absence (Friedrich, 2010). In the DSM-IV, the diagnostic classifications are related disorders that are divided into two groups: disorders due to consumption of substances (dependence and abuse), and substance-induced disorders (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 1994).

The use of drugs is a controversial topic in society today. In general, addicts show a direct link between taking drugs and suffering from their effects. People abuse drugs for a wide variety of reasons. In most cases, the use of drugs will serve a type of purpose or will give some kind of reward. These reasons for use will differ with different kinds of drugs. Various reasons for using the substance can be pain relief, depression, anxiety and weariness, acceptance into a peer group, religion, and much more. Although reasons for using may vary for each individual, it is known by all that consequences of the abuse do exist. It is only further down the line when the effects of using can be seen.

Substance abuse is one of the most detrimental social problems found in all societies. It has been the leading cause for generational breakdowns of families and communities, and is probably the most controversial social problem when developing corrective solutions. Substance abuse can be defined as the chemical dependence, or pattern of usage of both legal and illegal substances, that has adverse physical, psychological, and psychomotor effects on the human body. The use of substances does not always have to be a drug, but can also be anything taken into the body that can cause a mood-altering effect, such as inhalants or solvents. Additionally, substance abuse has many different faces and is the one social problem that crosses all

The theme of the class was basic pharmacology, neurophysiology of drug effects, drug tolerance, dependence and treatment of drug abuse. As well as learning about specific drugs types such as, alcohol, psychostimulants, opiates and antidepressants. Additional themes during this course included answering why people use drugs, and the effects it has on the body. Another important theme was looking at defining drug addiction and ways to treat it. Also discussing social and public policy issues concerning drug use and abuse.