Substance Use and Abuse : Cultural and Historical Perspectives

by Russil Durrant

• ISBN13: 9780761923428
• ISBN10: 076192342X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-04-07
• Publisher: Sage Publications, Inc

Summary

"This book takes an integrative approach to the understanding of drug use and its relationship to social-cultural factors. It is lucidly and powerfully argued and constitutes a significant achievement. The authors sensibly argue that in order to fully understand and explain drug use and abuse it is necessary to take into account different levels of analysis, reflecting distinct domains of human functioning; the biological, psychosocial, and cultural-historicala? .Overall, this book represents an exceptional achievement and should be of interest to drug clinicians and researcher as well as social scientists and students." --Professor Tony Ward, University of Melbourne Substance use and abuse are two of the most frequent psychological problems clinicians encounter. Mainstream approaches focus on the biological and psychological factors supporting drug abuse. But to fully comprehend the issue, clinicians need to consider the social, historical, and cultural factors responsible for drug-related problems. Substance Use and Abuse: Cultural and Historical Perspectives provides an inclusive explanation of the human desire to take drugs. Using a multidisciplinary framework, authors Russil Durrant and Jo Thakker explore the cultural and historical variables that contribute to drug use. Integrating biological, psychosocial, and cultural-historical perspectives, this innovative and accessible volume addresses the fundamental question of why drug use is such a ubiquitous feature of human society. Addressing issues important to prevention, treatment, and public policy, the authors include A comprehensive, historical survey of drug use An exploration of the evolutionary basis of drug-taking behavior Historically and culturally based explanations of drug use and abuse Inclusive approaches that complement mainstream biopsychosocial perspectives Designed for upper-division undergraduate and graduate students in psychology, counseling, sociology, social work, and health departments, Substance Use and Abuse: Cultural and Historical Perspectives will also be of significant interest to drug clinicians, researchers, and social scientists.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Acknowledgments	xi
1. What Needs to Be Explained and How Should We Explain It?	1	(12)
Introduction	1	(2)
Levels of Analysis and the Multidisciplinary Nature of Psychoactive Drug Studies	3	(3)
Toward an Integrated Model of Substance Use and Abuse	6	(5)
Overview	11	(2)
2. The Nature and Scope of Substance Use and Abuse	13	(21)
Introduction	13	(1)
What Is a Drug?	14	(1)
Who Uses Drugs?	15	(5)
Taxonomy of Drug Use Contexts	20	(3)
The Harm and Benefits of Drugs	23	(3)
From Use to Abuse	26	(6)
Summary	32	(2)
3. An Evolutionary Perspective	34	(25)
Introduction	34	(2)
The Nature and Role of Evolutionary Explanations	36	(2)
Has Drug Use Been Selected For?	38	(2)
Drugs and the Brain	40	(5)
Drug Use, Sexual Selection, and Life History Theory	45	(6)
From Use to Abuse	51	(3)
An Integrated Evolutionary Model of Substance Use	54	(3)
Summary	57	(2)
4. Drugs in History	59	(30)
Introduction	59	(1)
What Can History Tell Us About Substance Use and Abuse?	60	(3)
A Brief History of Drugs	63	(24)
Early History	64	(4)
Drugs and the Birth of the Modern World	68	(11)
A New Order: Drugs in the Twentieth Century	79	(8)
Summary	87	(2)
5. The Forces of History: Explaining Patterns of Use and Abuse	89	(30)
Introduction	89	(1)
The Functions of Drugs in Historical Perspective	90	(4)
Pharmacology	94	(1)
New Forms, New Modes, New Substances: The Impact of Technological Change on Drug Use	95	(3)
Availability	98	(2)
Economic and Political Factors	100	(4)
Legislation and Public Policy	104	(2)
Social Factors	106	(7)
A Complex Web: Multiple Influences on Patterns of Drug Use	113	(4)
Summary	117	(2)
6. Drugs and Culture	119	(37)
Introduction	119	(2)
Conceptual and Methodological Issues	121	(5)
Indigenous Patterns of Drug Use	126	(16)
Oceania	127	(3)
Asia	130	(2)
Africa and the Middle East	132	(4)
The Americas	136	(4)
Conclusions	140	(2)
Drugs and Multiculturalism	142	(12)
Ethnic Groups	143	(6)
Migrants and Drug Use	149	(1)
Other Cultural Groups	150	(4)
Summary	154	(2)
7. The Role of Culture: Explaining Patterns of Use	156	(35)
Introduction	156	(1)
Drugs and Culture	157	(6)
The Function of Drugs in Cultural Perspective	157	(3)
Alien Poisons Versus Culturally Integrated Substances	160	(2)
Production, Supply, and Availability	162	(1)
Culture and Drugs	163	(14)
Genetic Factors	164	(2)
Norms, Values, and Roles	166	(3)
Beliefs, Expectations, and Concepts	169	(3)
Socialization and Social Identity	172	(5)
Social-Structural Factors	177	(12)
Social Organization, Social Control, and Power	177	(2)
The Minority Experience: Marginalization, Poverty, Prejudice, and Social Change	179	(4)
Integrating Cultural Explanations	183	(6)
Summary	189	(2)
8. Conceptualizing and Treating Substance Use Problems: A Cultural-Historical Perspective	191	(25)
Introduction	191	(1)
The Pre-and Early History of Addiction	192	(5)
Treatment for Alcohol and Drug Problems in the Nineteenth Century	197	(2)
The Changing Face of Drug Addiction: 1914-1960	199	(5)
The Alcoholism Movement 202 Contemporary Developments	204	(4)
Culture and Classification	208	(3)
Implications	211	(5)
9. Prevention, Treatment, and Public Policy: An Integrated Perspective	216	(35)
Introduction	216	(1)
Prevention	217	(6)
Assessment	223	(2)
Treatment	225	(13)
Biological and Psychosocial Treatment Approaches	226	(6)
Cultural Issues 229 Natural Recovery	232	(2)
A Holistic View of Treatment	234	(4)
Legal Sanctions, Regulations, and Restrictions	238	(5)
Harm Reduction	243	(4)
Conclusion	247	(4)
References	251	(40)
Author Index	291	(12)
Subject Index	303	(8)
About the Authors	311