This document discusses substance abuse from a structural-functionalist perspective. It defines substance abuse and dependency, and lists some common causes like genetic predisposition and peer pressure. It outlines the stages of substance abuse from experimental to dependence. Physical, behavioral, and psychological warning signs are provided. Potential complications are discussed along with prevention, treatment, and how substance abuse affects society through increased crime and unemployment rates. Solutions proposed include intervening with media portrayals of drugs, increasing awareness of risks of drug use, and providing early treatment programs.

1. BY Jari and Janine
Substance Abuse
From a Structural-Functionalist Perspective

2. Substance Abuse
 Patterned use of a substance (drug) in which the
user consumes the substance in amounts or with
methods which are harmful to themselves or
others.

3. Substance Dependency
 Also called “Drug Addiction”
 A compulsive need to use drugs in order to
function normally. When such substances are
unobtainable, the user suffers from withdrawal.

4. Causes of Substance Abuse
Some causes of substance abuse include but are
not limited to:
 Genetic Predisposition
 The effect of the drug
 Pain killers, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens etc
 Peer Pressure
 Emotional distress
 Anxiety/ Depression

5. People Susceptible to Substance
Abuse
People who…
 suffer with mental illness
 have easy access to drugs
 have low self-esteem and/or problems with
relationships
 live an emotionally or economically stressful
lifestyle
 live in a culture with high acceptance of drug use

6. Stages of substance abuse
 Experimental
 Recreational use, typically involving peers, in spite
of authority
 Regular
 Begins to disassociate from society, alienate from
family, and increases tolerance to drug
 Daily preoccupation
 Life revolves around drug use and may lead to use
of harder drugs, legal issues may increase
 Dependence
 Compulsive need to use drugs in order to function
properly, denies problem, physical toll, withdrawal
symptoms

7. Physical Warning Signs
 Bloodshot eyes, pupils larger or smaller than
usual
 Changes in appetite or sleeping patterns
 Deterioration of physical appearance
 Unusual smells on breath, body or clothing
 Tremors, slurred speech, or impaired
coordination

8. Behavioural Warning Signs
 Dropped attendance at school or work
 Unexplained need for money or financial
problems
 Engaging in secretive or suspicious
behaviours
 Sudden changes in friends and hobbies
 Frequently getting into trouble

9. Psychological Warning Signs
 Unexplained change in personality or attitude
 Sudden mood swings or irritability
 Periods of unusual hyperactivity, agitation or
giddiness
 Lack of motivation
 Appears anxious or paranoid for no apparent
reason

10. Video
 Video highlighting the physical effects that drug abuse
(in this case Meth) has on the outward appearance of
a person as well as the criminal behavior that
coincides with repeated drug use/abuse
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtNBfE6Eyvg

11. Treatment
 Detoxification from drug use abruptly or gradually
 May involve lowering drug use, or using a substitute
drug to decrease tolerance
 Support
 Personal counseling, counseling from friends and
family, group counseling
 Abstinence
 End of the abuse of substances

12. Potential Complications
 Diseases from injections
– Bacterial endocarditis, hepatitis, thrombophlebitis etc
 Depression
 Drug overdose
 Increase cancer rates
 Ex. Lung and pharynx cancer with nicotine use
 Memory and concentration issues
 Problems with law
 Relapse of drug abuse
 Unsafe sexual practices
 May result in unwanted pregnancies, STDs, HIV and
hep. B

13. Prevention
 Drug abuse cannot be specifically prevented or
controlled. However, increasing awareness may
lower the rates of people beginning or increase
the rates of people stopping drug abuse

14. Structural-Functionalism
Substance abuse affect other parts of society in
negative ways
 Crime rates will increase because addicts will
start to disregard social norms to get their next fix
by any means
 Unemployment rates will increase because of
lack of motivation due to drug obsession
 The combination of unemployment and expensive
substance habits will increase poverty and
homelessness in society
 The need for financing support and treatment for
substance abusers affects the economy

15. Solutions
 Intervening with the media
 Often times drug use is romanticized in the media
making it look enticing, especially to teens. It is
important for caregivers to talk about what is seen
in the media.
 Know the risk factors
 If the risks of drug use are brought to young people
early, it may reduce the chance of them starting
drug abuse.

16.  Treatment
 For people who have begun using drugs or are
already abusing them, early treatment is best.
Treatments are catered to each specific person and
as well as solving drug dependency, it may help
with whatever problem started it in the first place

17.  References
Disturbing Before And After Pictures Of Drug Abuse - It's Gonna
Save Your Life- Meth And Heroin. (2014, March 26). YouTube.
Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtNBfE6Eyvg
Drug dependence. (n.d.). Medline Plus. Retrieved March from
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article
Drug Use & Abuse. (n.d.). Sutter Health. Retrieved from
http://www.pamf.org/teen/risk/drugs/
Robinson, L. (n.d.). Drug Abuse & Addiction. Help Guide. Retrieved
from http://www.helpguide.org/mental/drug_substance
Sociological Theories of Substance Abuse. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.udel.edu/soc/tammya/pdf/crju369_theory.pdf