Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to use sociological theory to identify why people use, abuse and are addicted to drugs. I will be giving the reference of several social theories here to clarify the concept.
Introduction
Present theories are bound by reductionist interpretations from different disciplines. Psychological theories tend to focus on the individual rather than on environmental and cultural contributors to individual behavior. Sociological theories tend to focus on external factors, which has the effect of ignoring individual differences.
Social theories
Lets take the example of the “Anomie theory” as explained by Emile Durkheim is based on the assumption that lack of regulation or control of behavior in modern societies can lead to deviant or criminal behavior. Later experts of sociology built on the basic assumptions of Durkheim. For example, Robert Merton classified anomie into distinct levels: macroside and microside. Macroside anomie is caused when society fails to enforce clear and unambiguous limits on goals, thereby causing deviant behavior in the members of the society. Microside anomie is caused when changes within the society imposes pressures on its members to commit crimes. It is possible to evaluate the issue of drug abuse in both these perspectives because it may be seen that drug abuse mostly happens in response to the societal pressures.(Collins, 2004)
Parental attitudes and substance use also have been linked with adolescent drug use. Overall, the literature indicates that when adolescents perceive that their parents' attitude toward substance use is favorable, they also tend to use substances at a higher rate (Pandina & Johnson, 1989, pp.245-253). Forney al. (1984, pp.347-355) found that parental drinking patterns were predictors of frequent and heavy drinking in adolescent offspring. This link was echoed by (Roosa, Sandler, Beals, & Short, 1988, pp.225-239) who found that youths whose parents had drinking problems also tended to be heavier drinkers in high school.............
