Psy/270 Substance Abuse

Crystal Maynor

PSY/270

Substance Abuse

09/30/2011

Dr. Stephanie Sencil

Substance Abuse

The behavioral and cognitive views, biological view/genetic predisposition, sociocultural theorists are the three views I think best explain substance abuse. The biological view suggests that substance abuse can be due to genetic predisposition. The sociocultural view suggests that children that grow up with families that are more open towards substance abuse are more likely to be substance abusers. The behavioral and cognitive views suggest that substance abuse is a learned behavior through the awards method, when someone takes a drug it makes them feel good, forget about their stress and life problems, and so on thus giving them an award (even though it is a false award it is still present). I think all three methods combined explain substance abuse. For example with sociocultural people from alcoholic families are more likely to drink which ties in with genetic predisposition. The behavioral and cognitive view would explain why addicts continue to abuse drugs even when they are causing problems in their life. The mental reward is bigger than the negative effects. All of these things combined help to shape an addict.

Some of the treatments for these views are self help groups, detoxification, antagonist drugs, relapse prevention training, aversion therapy, behavior self control therapy. Most rehab centers use more than one treatment, they will first apply detoxification, behavior self control therapy, and relapse prevention training. Support groups such as AA and NA are also a very great tool for addicts.