Adolescent Substance Use - Essay Example

Adolescent substance use: an analysis based on deviance There is a general tendency in society to consider adolescent substance abuse, either as a social or a personal problem. Apart from these two diametrically opposite positions, another approach is possible, where this problem can be viewed as a manifestation of deviance. It is a proven fact that individuals showing one specific kind of deviance usually are found to have some other kinds of deviance also (Isralovitz and Singer, 1983, 8).

But still, in this essay, adolescent substance use is isolated and analyzed for the sake of convenience. Adolescent substance abuse can be defined as the use of a drug or chemical “that modifies the mood or behavior of the user” by which, “the user’s functioning is negatively affected” (Lewis, Dana, and Blevins, 2009, p.4). Substance abuse is also different from addiction in that when addiction is there, the person shows “physical symptoms of withdrawal or tolerance to the substance” (Lewis, Dana, and Blevins, 2009, 4).

Any deviant behavior is proven to have “multiple causes” (Isralowitz and Singer, 2009, 10). The causes of adolescent substance abuse are understood to have developed from a “complex interaction of interpersonal, social and developmental factors” (Lorion, 1990, p.203). Developmental factors are supposed to be the most important causes for this problem, as puberty will bring in many physical changes, along with changes in thinking, self-image, and self-esteem (Lorion, 1990, p.203). Though it is very difficult to list all the causes involved, it is approved by all that substance abuse results in serious health problems in adolescents (Isralowitz and Singer, 1983, p.1). Prevention, early identification, intervention, and maintaining of corrected behavior are the steps in treating this kind of deviance (Isralowitz and Singer, 1983, p.1). Adolescent substance abuse is a type of deviance that can be explained by anomie theory, which evolved from the suicide studies conducted by Durkheim (Adler and Laufer, 1999, p.93). The definition of anomie is that it “is a state that results from an inability of society (conscience collective) to hold in check naturally boundless human aspirations and demands” (Adler and Laufer, 1999, p.93). In the case of adolescents, who go for substance abuse, the before-mentioned causative factors, i.e.; physical changes, changes in thinking, changes in self-image, and changes in self-esteem that happen with the onset of teenage, are potential causes for anomie as well.

For example, for a boy who reaches his adolescence, his physical appearance that will be set to become fully evolved into that of a man, will be a cause of anomie. And this may disturb his positive self-image and destroy his self-esteem. He may start to make comparisons with the images of full manhood that he sees around and feel the anomie. What is most logically appealing about the anomie theory is that it is very flexible. Any kind of causes that can be found in human society for adolescent substance abuse will easily and logically fit into the purview of this theory.

This is because the desires and aspirations as put forth by the theory as the basic issues are well inclusive of the whole human life. Based, on this theory, it can be suggested that society takes good care of every adolescent to get equal social opportunities so that adolescents feel they are getting their due share to fulfill their desires and aspirations, in all senses. This may keep them away from substance abuse. This is particularly important because it is a proven fact that, adolescents from the lowest economic stratum of society are more prone to substance abuse.

If we apply anomie theory to this, we can say that this group is more prone to substance abuse because they are socially and economically deprived than other adolescent groups of the society.