Theories Of Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol abuse can be defined as the consumption of too much alcohol, consumed on too frequent of a basis. Alcohol abuse can be caused by specific individual reasons which do not always fit in the confines of general statements, however you can perform a broader, more general causal analysis by looking at three theoretical perspectives and how they correlate to the cultural, economic, and legal context of the United States. These three perspectives are structural functionalism, conflict, and symbolic interactionalism and are used to define perspectives on social problems. From the perspective of a structural functionalist, society is viewed as a large complex system in which all components of the system work together to complete the structure

Conflict theorist would perceive alcohol abuse as a struggle more often fought between two or more groups, such as various classes in a society. This type of theorist may believe more people in lower social classes struggle with the battle of alcohol abuse than upper classes of people. In his article, “Substance Abuse & the Conflict Theory”, Flamand states “substance abuse is primarily a problem of structural inequality and class conflict. While substance abuse is generally omnipresent throughout society, social conflict theory argues that minorities, the lower class and other marginalized groups are more likely to disproportionally suffer negative consequences as a result of substance abuse” ( Flamand, n.d., p.1). In other words, it is because one is lower on the socioeconomic scale, there is a higher occurrence of the problem within the group. Additionally, the culture within either group has an impact because between groups the problem may have higher or lower acceptance levels, specifically in regards to drinking. One example of such a conflict might be the lack of education. Theorist would indicate the lack of education prevalently found in a poorer group of people is causing more abuse than within educated groups of people as they have better access to learning which would teach them of the detrimental effects of abuse. Additionally, the

For example, a college student who does not drink may learn from group of student who abuse alcohol that it is acceptable, and begins to practice the same behavior. It is also possible that this behavior could be learned from family or colleagues. Additionally, based on the acceptance level in the group it is either desirable or undesirable to have charges brought about as a result of driving under the influence, and acceptable or unacceptable to go to jail for the charge. The core belief in symbolic interactionalism relates to how people interact and how to groups get their norms from this interaction.
In conclusion, in my reasoned opinion, symbolic interactionist approach reflects the best ideas about understanding why alcohol abuse is likely. I support this idea because I believe it is through direct interaction or close association to a source, core ideas are learned. My thoughts are that alcohol abuse is a learned behavior and is taught by the interaction with other that abuse alcohol. In many cases it is through friends and family that people are exposed to alcohol abuse, and it is in these groups one learns whether it is acceptable or