NCJ Number
72508
Journal
British Journal of Addiction Volume: 75 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1980) Pages: 245-254
Date Published
1980
Length
10 pages
Annotation
A review of etiological theories of drug use concludes that drug use and drug dependence appear to be influenced by many factors, and that no narrow explanation seems to account for these diverse data or theories.
Abstract
Although genetic or psychological influences may exist, social factors appear to dictate (1) the likelihood of exposure to drugs, (2) the types of drugs available, and (3) patterns of drug use. For example, many American servicemen during the Vietnam war used opiates, sometimes to the point of physical dependence. Upon their return to the United States, the overwhelming majority stopped using such drugs virtually overnight and without professional help. Thus, many individuals begin to use drugs for social reasons, with drug use part of a more general lifestyle. In addition, educating young people about the dangers of drug use has not achieved tangible results. Restricting the availability of specific drugs, however, has proved to be a useful strategy, provided that no alternative sources of supply are available. Future health educators might find clarifying the role of drug misuse a useful priority. In addition, discussions of managing rebelliousness without recourse to drugs could be developed. Finally, future policies should be more influenced by knowledge of pressures and processes that foster drug use in general and that determine harmful use in particular. Fifty-seven references are included.