Essay

Aguirre | 2

Brenda Aguirre

Soc 348 #13209

September 20, 2020

Substance Use and Abuse

Chapter 1: The Anomie Perspective Outline.

A) Introduction

1A. “The anomie perspective looks at substance use as resource, opportunity, or means in

people’s reaction to their specific social structural conditions.”

2A. Substance(s) is used as a defense mechanism in order to avoid any negative

experiences within society interaction.

B) Sources of Inspiration:

1B. Emile Durkheim (Sociologist, 1858) adapted the concept of anomie in order to “denote a state of normlessness.”

2B. Society and groups that live within each other must have norms and moral authorities

enforced to keep individuals “aspirations, passions and desires” in order.

3B. Traditional Society

→ Mechanical Solidarity people live in communities who are integrated/united. Anomie occurs once in a while, where religion has power over individuals.

4B. Contemporary Society

→ Organic Solidarity where anomic behavior is more likely to occur due to individuals having conflicting interests between their morals, guidance, and lack of principles in comparison to societal remote states. Industrial societies assimilate to become and act alike

5B. Robert Merton's 1938 Essay

-Looked at how individuals “unfulfilled” goals impacted their actions and behavior.

-Modes of Adaptation was a result between interpersonal desires and the

influences of societal norms

-General theory of deviance: deviance as part of a choice in individuals who

experience societal tension while they work toward their achievements and goals

6B. Richard Cloward and Lloyd Ohlin

-Modes of Adaptation: depending on the social environment an individual is in

they will achieve success according to their own interpretation.

-In a high crime neighborhood, it is most likely that young kids will turn to deviant and malicious behavior to seek success as they earn “status” or respect amongst their peers.

-Albert Cohen work based on Delinquent Boys considers how unattainable resources or opportunities determine how individuals react

7b. Social environment affects young adolescents' life choices.

-Substance use is an individual's choice as a responsive mechanism to “stress”

-High crime neighborhoods have a great influence on gang initiations, drug abuse

and other deviant’ behaviors on children.

C) Theoretical Framework

The anomie perspective looks at the individual self-desires and the social resources

available to them as they try to understand the intentions behind substance use and abuse.

1C. Definition

-”The anomie perspective follows anomie in both of its dimensions to study how

substance use figures in as resource, opportunity, or means in the whole social-individual dynamic.”

-While some individuals may believe that they are capable of achieving everything and

are invincible, others may feel the opposite of this. The constant pressure of fulfilling certain “expectations” creates a strain between themselves and society, while leading them in the use of substances.

2C. Theoretical Image

-Substance use and abuse are used for coping mechanisms

“opportunists , drifters, sufferers or double failure retreatists”

-Drifting users occur in social anomic situations where individuals lack knowledge of

Substances that are being used

-Escaping users: individuals seek a temporary solution in order to avoid their reality

-Across the world rates of substance abuse in correlation to its societal environment

-Poor countries undergoing political tensions may lead with high substance use/abuse

rates.

-Modern and Postmodern Era are likely to be known for substance use.

D) Theoretical Components (Four)

1D. Anomies: Confusion vs Strain

-The use of substances as a result of anomie can have different interpretations, meanings,

and outcomes.

-Common situations: overregulation, lack of regulation, conflicting regulation, and change in regulation.

-Conformist may have been impacted by strain itself or society in attempt to adapt to new

changes.

-Nonconformists find comfort in substances and may develop deviant behavior

-The difference between Conformist and Nonconformist is the action they take to help

process their “experience” with personal strain

2D. Substance and Substance Use: Resource, Opportunity, and/or Means

-Substances can be used as a form of help and capture victims by its constant use and

inability of receiving proper treatments.

-Substances are used as a resource, opportunity, or an outcome of lack of

morals/guidance.

-Coping with anxiety/depression.

-Male adolescents being raised in a deviant environment will turn to the use of

drugs or selling to gain respect or status amongst peers

-Individuals who seek to gain social status will turn to substances as an opportunity to escalate the social ladder.

-“Opportunity centers around the scapegoat function and substance use may

served for some strained individuals.” Hence: Substance use is used as an excuse to be successful or a functioning member of society.

-Means looks at the outcomes of substance use such as dealing with stress, a coping mechanism when encountered in difficult situations and to have control over things.

3D. Anomie and Substance Use: Individual Adjustment

-Looked like an Individual Act.

-Individuals make a change within themselves by turning to personal forces and

techniques to help cope.

-Flashback of substance use may occur as well with anxiety and stress, but it won’t

lead into a feeling of desperation.

-In order to cope with moral confusion; individuals turn to spiritual or religious

solutions.

-“In response to pressure to success, individuals may turn to inner forces rather

than material stimulants or depressants for assistance.”

4D. Anomie and Substance Use: Social Conditioning

-Social Conditioning isn't “perfected” to prevent anomie and substance use/abuse.

-Each society is integrated differently whereas some Legal systems/authorities may be up to standards with logic and consistency.

-First example, some societies across the globe are known for the use or

distribution of substances.

-Second example, where in some societies are “material cultures” where

substances are incorporated into cultures for different purposes whether it

is a spiritual or cultural use of traditions.

E) Theoretical Applications

1E. The correlation between Anomie and Substance raises questions and allows to

see a different perspective to understand the mentality and behavior of individuals.

2E.Could it be a result of a quick solution? Or a comfort blanket due to being

forced to deal with distress situations?

- The tendency of Substance use inclines when an individual is conflicted with strain or uncertainty of morals.

3E. Can anomie be at fault for requiring substance use as a required element in order

for the individual to function?

-Substance used can be used to help the body cope with the strain of success. (In order for me to be honest I must be drunk!)

4E. Does the use or abuse of substance help alleviate the anomie condition that an

individual is in? In other words, how effective is the use of substances in an anomie condition, does it make it worse or better?

5E. The correlation between Substance use and Anomie in regard to reinforcement.

6E. Substance used as a temporary scapegoat while still having to deal with the aftermath of the reality that was escaped.

F) Empirical Test

1F. Interviews and Surveys are necessary

2F. Biochemical balance and imbalance can be seen through experimental studies.

3F. “The anomie perspective creates opportunities for empirical research.”

-Case studies: users are followed to be observed whether they turn to substance

use/abuse due to “normal confusion, stress in life or retreatists choice.”

-Participants will be faced with different anomie situations, what action will they

take?

4F. Groups will have different upbringings, social environments, and experiences.

5F. Based on the groups correlation with anomie substances will be considered as “moral confusion, decline, or decay” while it can also be used due to “midlife crisis, professional stress or social malaise.”

G) Policy Implications

1G. “Social agencies and agents” should be required to differentiate users and abusers of

substance and acknowledge their social environment in order to help them accordingly,

H) Public Health

1H. Professionals that work in public health can “benefit from the anomie perspective” in

two different ways:

2H. Prevention: Informational programs to teach individuals about social strain, social change, and life events as well with healthy alternatives on how to cope with them. It will help them learn how to deal with the different types of stress.

3H. Intervention: To prevent substance dependency psychological counseling, diagnosis for trauma, stress or mental illness can help find solutions for the individual's mental health. As for the community they can offer moral guidance and social support.

I) Social Control

1I. Laws should be presented to the public with simplicity and clarification. Should be applied in every event to avoid bias, discrimination, and frustration.

2I. Social control agents should do their assigned job and follow through with their regulations. (Not bending rules or attacking particular groups.)

-Serve as role models, the action they take between the state and the people. If they act more caring and charismatic it can lead to a diffusion of tension. Treat everyone fair.

3I. Put more focus on education and protection

J) Life and Community

1J. “With proper attitudes and actions, one can manage anxieties, crises, emergencies and

other problems to avoid being a victim of substance use.”

2J. Well established relationships within their community and accessible resources

3J. In order to deal with unpredictable events such as “confusion, disappointment,

frustration and failure” one must develop a structured view of themselves.

-This structure can include their strengths, abilities, resources, accomplishments,

ambitions and goals

-Differentiate long and short term goals

K) Work and Organization

1K. Work is a primary source of anxiety.

2K. A reality check on an individual is recommended to acknowledge self-capabilities,

strengths in weakness. In order to establish a balance and real expectations.

3K. “The perplexing complexity of work and life in contemporary society have created a

new dimension of layer of confusion and strain among modern and postmodern individuals.”

4K. Work environment → Fair and Equal. Employees are comfortable with their employers, respected and recognized for their work ethic.

5K. A critical amount of anomie can be reduced from the “general population” by taking

appropriate measures and approaches towards employees. This makes it “less vulnerable

for problem behaviors such as substance use and abuse.”