Alcohol is one of the most widely abused substances in the world accounting for nearly 75,000 deaths a year according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Illicit drug use is also problematic on a variety of levels with the drug marijuana being the most commonly abused illegal substance next to cocaine. No matter the chemical used, problems present for the individual engaging chronic substance use. The choice to abuse drugs or alcohol is complex, with varying circumstances influencing the initial decision that leads to chronic addiction.
Social Status, Minorities and Culture
Socioeconomic status refers to an individuals positioning in society, based on level of education, income or occupation as well as residential dwelling, ethnicity and cultural heritage. Alcohol and drug problems are a societal problem despite socioeconomic positioning. The common assumption is that people in poverty are more prone to alcoholism or drug addiction, than those with jobs displaying responsible behavior. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism notes that people of minority, including those with lower socioeconomic status, are often misrepresented as problem substance users. However, the relationship between substance use problems and circumstances causing impoverishment are also concurrently influenced by an individuals cultural beliefs and gender role beliefs practiced in the home.
Homelessness
The federal definition of homelessness is an individual lacking a fixed or regular and adequate nighttime residence, who also makes use of supervised shelters for temporary sleeping accommodations. The National Coalition for the Homeless notes that a common assumption of the homeless is that alcohol and drug use is the cause of homelessness rather than a symptom. Although addiction can factor in to the loss of jobs, family strain and losing housing, this is not always the case with the homeless. The more likely scenario is the individual becomes susceptible to dependency on alcohol and other drugs as a result of homelessness. Alcohol and drugs serve as a coping mechanism to achieve temporary escape from the reality of life instability. A sense of hopelessness with the situation perpetuates the desire for many homeless to escape via substance use, further defeating the need for achieving personal growth and development.
Violence and Abuse
Violence, abuse and neglect in the family home can perpetuate substance abuse in the perpetrator of violence, the victim or in the child witnessing violence. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, violence in the home increases the chance of the victim using substances to cope with the painful reality of violence, as well as increases the risk of children becoming dependent upon substances in adult life. Parental drug or alcohol abuse also models and influences the perception of children in the home toward experimenting with substances.
Mental Illness
Mental illness refers to a range of psychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, that alter the mental status and perceptions of reality in the individual with the condition. The National Alliance on Mental Illness notes that people with severe mental illness are more susceptible to experiencing a co-occurring substance abuse problem because of factors including: living in marginal dwellings with easy access to drugs, difficulty developing social relationships, which leads to isolation in society and altered belief systems that connecting with substance users is acceptable. Mental illness is a significant factor influencing use of drugs and alcohol, with 29 to 50 percent of individuals diagnosed with psychiatric disorders as also developing substance abuse problems.
References
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: Minority Women and Alcohol Use
- National Coalition for the Homeless: Substance Abuse and Homelessness
- American Council for Drug Education: Risk Factors for Substance Use
- National Coalition Against Domestic Violence: Why it Matters
- National Alliance on Mental Illness: Mental Illnesses
