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Substance Use and Abuse
Cultural and Historical Perspectives



April 2003 | 320 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

"This book takes an integrative approach to the understanding of drug use and its relationship to social-cultural factors. It is lucidly and powerfully argued and constitutes a significant achievement. The authors sensibly argue that in order to fully understand and explain drug use and abuse it is necessary to take into account different levels of analysis, reflecting distinct domains of human functioning; the biological, psychosocial, and cultural-historical….Overall, this book represents an exceptional achievement and should be of interest to drug clinicians and researcher as well as social scientists and students."

--Professor Tony Ward, University of Melbourne

Substance use and abuse are two of the most frequent psychological problems clinicians encounter. Mainstream approaches focus on the biological and psychological factors supporting drug abuse. But to fully comprehend the issue, clinicians need to consider the social, historical, and cultural factors responsible for drug-related problems.

Substance Use and Abuse: Cultural and Historical Perspectives provides an inclusive explanation of the human desire to take drugs. Using a multidisciplinary framework, authors Russil Durrant and Jo Thakker explore the cultural and historical variables that contribute to drug use. Integrating biological, psychosocial, and cultural-historical perspectives, this innovative and accessible volume addresses the fundamental question of why drug use is such a ubiquitous feature of human society.

provides an inclusive explanation of the human desire to take drugs. Using a multidisciplinary framework, authors Russil Durrant and Jo Thakker explore the cultural and historical variables that contribute to drug use. Integrating biological, psychosocial, and cultural-historical perspectives, this innovative and accessible volume addresses the fundamental question of why drug use is such a ubiquitous feature of human society.

Addressing issues important to prevention, treatment, and public policy, the authors include

    • A comprehensive, historical survey of drug use
    • An exploration of the evolutionary basis of drug-taking behavior
    • Historically and culturally based explanations of drug use and abuse
    • Inclusive approaches that complement mainstream biopsychosocial perspectives

Designed for upper-division undergraduate and graduate students in psychology, counseling, sociology, social work, and health departments, Substance Use and Abuse: Cultural and Historical Perspectives will also be of significant interest to drug clinicians, researchers, and social scientists.


 
Preface
 
1. What Needs to be Explained and How Should We Explain It?
Introduction

 
Levels of Analysis & the Multidisciplinary Nature of Psychoactive Drug Studies

 
Towards an Integrated Model of Substance Use & Abuse

 
Overview

 
Endnotes

 
 
2. The Nature & Scope of Substance Use & Abuse
Introduction

 
What Is a Drug?

 
Who Uses Drugs?

 
Taxonomy of Drug Use Contexts

 
The Harms & Benefits of Drugs

 
From Use to Abuse

 
Summary

 
Endnotes

 
 
3. An Evolutionary Perspective
Introduction

 
The Nature and Role of Evolutionary Explanations

 
Has Drug Use Been Selected For?

 
Drugs & the Brain

 
Drug Use, Sexual Selection, and Life History Theory

 
From Use to Abuse

 
An Integrated Evolutionary Model of Substance Use

 
Summary

 
Endnotes

 
 
4. Drugs in History
Introduction

 
What Can History Tell Us about Substance Use and Abuse?

 
A Brief History of Drugs

 
Summary

 
Endnotes

 
 
5. The Forces of History: Explaining Patterns of Use and Abuse
Introduction

 
The Functions of Drugs in Historical Perspective

 
Pharmacology

 
New Forms, New Modes, New Substances: The Impact of Technological Change on
Drug Use
New Forms, New Modes, new Substances: The Impact of Technological Change on Drug Use

 
Availability

 
Economic and Political Factors

 
Legislation and Public Policy

 
Social Factors

 
A Complex Web: Multiple Influences on Patterns of Drug Use

 
Summary

 
Endnotes

 
 
6. Drugs and Culture
Introduction

 
Conceptual & Methodological Issues

 
Indigenous Patterns of Drug Use

 
Drugs & Multiculturalism

 
Summary

 
Endnotes

 
 
7. The Role of Culture: Explaining Patterns of Use
Introduction

 
Drugs and Culture

 
Culture and Drugs

 
Social Structural Factors

 
Integrating Cultural Explanations

 
Explanations

 
Summary

 
Endnotes

 
 
8. Conceptualizing & Treating Substance Use Problems: A Cultural-Historical Perspective
Introduction

 
The Pre and Early History of Addiction

 
Treatment for Alcohol & Drug Problems in the Nineteenth Century

 
The Changing Face of Drug Addiction: 1914-1960

 
The Alcoholism Movement

 
Contemporary Developments

 
Culture & Classification

 
Implications

 
Endnotes

 
9. Prevention, Treatment & Public Policy

 
Introduction

 
Prevention

 
Assessment

 
Treatment

 
Legal Sanctions, Regulations, & Restrictions

 
Harm Reduction

 
Conclusion

 
Endnotes

 
 
References
 
Author Index
 
Subject Index

This book takes an integrative approach to the understanding of drug use and its relationship to social-cultural factors. It is lucidly and powerfully argued and constitutes a significant achievement. The authors sensibly argue that in order to fully understand and explain drug use and abuse it is necessary to take into account different levels of analysis, reflecting distinct domains of human functioning; the biological, psychosocial, and cultural-historical….Overall, this book represents an exceptional achievement and should be of interest to drug clinicians and researcher as well as social scientists and students.

Professor Tony Ward
University of Melbourne

"In Substance Use and Abuse, Durrant and Thakker present a detailed history of drug use over time to support the need for developing a broader understand of substance use that takes into account cultural and historical perspective. This book is a thought-provoking and much needed addition to the vast literature on drugs, drug use, and drug policy. The information in this book contributes to what is known by examining substance use through historical and cultural perspectives, providing readers with a detailed ride through the history of drug use over time throughout various societies and cultures. By documenting how specific forms of substance use emerged and re-emerged, how public perceptions and policy responses change over time, and how social attitudes about drugs are subject to public interpretation and influenced by a number of diverse cultural, political, and historical factors, a strong case for examining and understanding drug use through both historical and cultural perspectives is made."

Rashi K. Shukla
University of Central OKlahoma, Edmond

This book has good information regarding chemical dependency from a cultural perspective, something that a lot of other textbooks are missing.

Professor Mary Rankin
Sch Of Professional Psychology, Alliant Intl Univ-Scripps Ranc
August 7, 2015

Second book for class in summery

Dr Vicki Lindsay
Crim Just Social Science Dept, Troy University - Dothan
March 8, 2013

excellence material a must have and use . fits lessons very well.

Ms Yolanda Greene-allen-boggs
general education, uco
November 2, 2011
Key features
  • Integrates components from biological variables, psychosocial variables, cultural-historical variables, and the self, providing multidisciplinary perspective. Locating drug abuse in wider historical and cultural contexts allows clinicians to evaluate more clearly the constellation of factors responsible for drug-related problems.
  • Illustrating the value of a cultural-historical perspective in conceptualizing, preventing, and treating substance abuse problems also serves to highlight consequent public policy implications.
  • Chapters open with introductions and conclude with summaries and end notes to frame the content of each chapter for students.

For instructors

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