7: Alcohol and Other Drugs
- Page ID
- 14486
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- 7.1: Drug Use in History
- This page discusses the prevalence of drug use in 19th-century America, including opium, cocaine, and marijuana, which were commonly included in tonics. Opium dens were associated with Chinese immigrants, leading to racial prejudice and bans. Cocaine, initially endorsed by figures like Freud, faced backlash and heavy taxation due to misconceptions about its effects. Marijuana, similarly linked to immigrant fears, was also prohibited.
- 7.2: Drugs and Drug Use Today
- This page explores the classification and effects of various drugs, contrasting the high health and social costs of legal substances like alcohol and tobacco with illegal drugs. Alcohol, while sometimes beneficial in moderation, causes significant abuse and mortality, particularly among young people. Tobacco use remains prevalent despite declining rates, contributing to preventable deaths and economic costs.
- 7.3: Social Patterning of Drug Use
- This page analyzes the influence of sociodemographic factors such as gender, race, education, and religiosity on drug use. It reveals that men are more prone to substance use, with significant racial differences, particularly highlighting lower illegal drug use among African Americans than typically assumed. Education and religiosity also affect drug use patterns.
- 7.4: Explaining Drug Use
- This page explores drug addiction through biological, psychological, and sociological lenses. It details genetic predispositions and personality traits contributing to addiction, and emphasizes the role of social environment, inequality, and peer influence. Various sociological theories, including functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism, are discussed, highlighting the functional aspects of drug use, biases in penalties, and the influence of corporations.
- 7.5: Drug Policy and the War on Illegal Drugs
- This page explores U.S. drug strategies, including treatment, prevention, and harm reduction, noting mixed effectiveness. It critiques the War on Drugs, citing negative outcomes like increased crime and incarceration, especially among minorities. Proponents of legalization argue it could mitigate these harms, referencing examples from the 1970s and other countries. Positive results from the Netherlands and Portugal's decriminalization efforts encourage reevaluation of U.S.
- 7.6: Addressing the Drug Problem and Reducing Drug Use
- This page critiques existing drug policies, arguing that enforcing arrests for possession is counterproductive. It advocates for alternative approaches such as increased prevention and treatment, decriminalization of certain drugs, and higher alcohol taxes. Experts suggest that framing addiction as a health issue rather than a criminal matter would yield better outcomes.
- 7.7: End-of-Chapter Material
- This page discusses the historical use of drugs, particularly alcohol, and critiques the inconsistent legal classifications of drugs. It highlights that legal substances often result in more fatalities than illegal ones and notes varying drug use patterns influenced by social factors. Theories of addiction encompass genetic and social elements.