The Role of Gender In Substance Addiction
Socio-Cultural Dimensions in Counseling
Submitted by: D Cooper
December 19, 2013
Introduction
This research paper will examine the issue of gender and its role in influiencing substance use. Specifically, this paper will address the issue as to what gender is more likely to engage in substance use and why, as well as the possible and promising substance abuse treatment options that may be available. Most of he articles that I will be referring in this paper will focus on marijuana, tobacco, and alcohol use in relation to African American, Caucasian, and Latino ethnic groups. This research paper will, in addition, discuss my purpose for this purpose for addressing this issue, how and for whom this issue can be most relevant, the theory from which I felt gave the best framework with regard to shaping this topical area.
Research Significance
The purpose for this research paper is to examine the role of gender with relation to substance usage. In short, does gender a major influence in substance use and abuse and why? Additionally, it would be most beneficial to examine the treatment options that might be best suited for either gender. The knowledge that may be gleaned from this subject might be of interest to many facets of the research community. Researchers who might find this topic as one of interest are professionals in the field of chemical addiction as well as counselors and/or therapists who specialize in substance abuse issues. This research can give professionals insight as to why substance use among certain individuals may occur and thus, who is more susceptible. Other individuals who might benefit from the information tha...
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When we view substance use disorders, alcohol is the most widely used drug within the United States and 11 percent of workers have drinking problems (Frone, 2006). Over 20 million people used illegal substances in 2006 and 7 million people abused prescribed medications. Of the 18 million drug abusers, 18 years or older in 2006, 13.4 million (74.9 %) were employed full or part time (SAMHSA, OSA). These addiction problems have an expenditure of $276 billion dollars per year with most of this cost from loss of productivity and health care (H. Harwood, D. Fountain, and G. Livermore, 1992).
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Many people dislike the term ‘addiction’ in relation to drugs or other substances, particularly as it infers that a person is powerless over their use of a particular drug or in some circumstances, a number of substances. Whilst others maintain it is this powerlessness that is the foundation of diagnosis and treatment – that treatment is not possible without recognition of addiction itself as the ‘problem’ being addressed. The professional and public perception of addiction is complicated. There are many approaches and models to explain addiction, the role of the addict, and their environment. This essay will compare and contrast two of these approaches, the medical/disease and the social model. Initially this essay will describe the origins of each model, and follow by explaining their respective strengths and weaknesses, and finish with an overview of the key differences between them. This essay will conclude by demonstrating that a holistic approach, and a cross-pollination of these models is the most successful approach to treating addicts. As is the case for all diseases, there are multiple treatment options, and as ever person is different, the results in each individual cannot be predicted.
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Spotlighting on drug abuse by specific ethnic group was a good start to research, as it shed some light on the actual drug problems by minority group. The study showed that African American teenagers have a lower rate of drug use compared to Whites, however they suffer from more drug-related health problems than any other ethnic group. It was also suggested that drug use is believed to cause criminal behavior in African American communities. Asians and Pacific Islanders may be less likely to pursue treatment services because they are not culturally appropriate. Higher rates of alcohol abuse are more likely in their native countries than in the United States because treatment options are more actively utilized. Hispanics drug use is one of the highest amongst US population, due in part...
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The multi-causal model of drug abuse takes into account social and individual causes of addiction, both distant and immediate, that lead to a disposition to using drugs, drug use and the social and individual consequences. Why a person becomes addicted to drugs or alcohol is different for everyone. Some are genetically predisposed, some learn it from their environment (i.e. family or friends), and still others use it to avoid a trauma they have experienced. The case history describes a client that had both social and individual causes for her alcohol use and subsequent dependence.
Alcohol is the most commonly used addictive substance in the US. One in every 12 adults suffers from alcohol abuse. Alcohol addiction is very common in modern ...
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Although alcoholism is not necessarily constrained to one demographic, the prevalence of alcoholism, especially in underage drinkers, seems to be of growing concern. In the last five years alone, underage age drinking has seen a startling and rather significant increase. For example, in 2009, about 59.3% of high school seniors had consumed alcohol. The same poll, taken in 2014, showed that 65.7% had now participated in the consumption of alcohol, despite being underage (Whillenburg 3).
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