Sociology of Drug Use: Understanding Factors

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Questions and Answers

What term refers to individuals who engage regularly in using drugs without necessarily experiencing harmful effects?

Drug consumer

Drug user (correct)

Drug Abuser

Substance Use Disorder

Which of the following factors is NOT considered a risk factor for drug use?

Child neglect or abuse

Stable family life (correct)

Family breakdown

Chaotic home life

What is one of the primary motivations for people to use drugs based on the provided content?

Fun (correct)

Legal consequences

Job opportunities

Social isolation

What is meant by the term 'anomie' in the context of drug use?

The erosion of norms, morals, and values Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes protective factors in relation to drug use?

Protective factors tend to be the inverse of risk factors. Signup and view all the answers

What do sociological theorists suggest has led to widespread drug use in society?

Erosion of norms, morals, and values Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is typically linked to recreational drug use?

Social acceptance Signup and view all the answers

How are explanations for drug use typically categorized?

Biological, psychological, and historical contexts Signup and view all the answers

What are ‘protective factors’ in the context of drug use?

Factors that prevent individuals from taking drugs Signup and view all the answers

Which personality trait is commonly associated with drug users?

Neuroticism Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant correlation found between severe mental illness and drug use?

It leads to an increased tendency to self-medicate with drugs Signup and view all the answers

How do perceptions of drug legality influence drug use?

They impact how people perceive drugs and their users Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by an 'addictive personality'?

A set of personality traits believed to predispose someone to addiction Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about drug users is least accurate?

All drug users fit a recognizable addictive personality type Signup and view all the answers

Which phrase best captures the interplay between perceptions of drugs and social influences?

People’s drug choices are influenced by both perceptions and societal trends Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested as a major factor in the development of drug dependence?

A combination of genetic predisposition and environmental factors Signup and view all the answers

What has been emphasized at the expense of structural factors such as gender and social class?

Rationality and individual agency Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is suggested to balance with rationality in understanding drug use?

Emotionality Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what should be a focus when addressing contemporary drug use?

Role of structural influences Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the objectives of the proposed 'Global Drug Control Museum'?

To inform the public about drug supply control Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following questions is addressed in the group work for the exhibit?

How does control manifest itself in your chosen topic? Signup and view all the answers

What is one feature that participants need to remember when discussing cannabis use in Hong Kong?

The six features by Parker et al. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason that Duff (2006) suggests needs to be considered when discussing the pleasure derived from drug use?

The context or setting in which the drug is used Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant component missing from the film 'Nuggets' based on class discussions?

Cultural implications of drug use Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following does NOT represent a reason people might take drugs, according to the content?

Encountering imminent danger Signup and view all the answers

What should groups do before leaving the session after the key information presentations?

Fill in a group worksheet Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated as a limitation of functionalist ‘rational actor’ theories in drug taking?

They ignore the emotional state of the user Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect does the concept of 'Set and Setting' highlight as significant when understanding drug effects?

The user's belief and mood alongside the drug used Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the outcome of the cost-benefit analysis performed by a rational user regarding drug use?

Selecting drugs that are least likely to cause harm while providing benefits Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'drug effect' encompass according to the content?

The drug's impact and the user's psychological state Signup and view all the answers

In considering why people continue to take drugs, what factor is increasingly viewed as important?

Pleasure and the emotional state provided by drugs Signup and view all the answers

What aspect is often neglected in drug research and policy according to the content's critique?

The fun and pleasure associated with drug taking Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'set' refer to in the context of drug use?

The psychological state of an individual before using a drug Signup and view all the answers

Which factor can significantly impact the short-term effects of drug use?

The psychological state and beliefs about the drug Signup and view all the answers

According to the normalization concept, what significant change has occurred in drug use among young people?

Widespread acceptance of recreational drug use Signup and view all the answers

Who introduced the concepts of 'drug, set, and setting'?

Dr. Norman Zinberg Signup and view all the answers

What does 'setting' refer to in relation to drug use?

The environment in which the drug is taken Signup and view all the answers

What societal change does the term 'normalization' relate to?

Increased recreational drug use among adolescents Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about the effects of drug use based on the concepts of 'set' and 'setting'?

All users will have a similar experience regardless of context Signup and view all the answers

What may characterize an 'unsafe' setting for drug use?

A crowded social event with strangers Signup and view all the answers

What does normalization primarily refer to in the context of drug use?

Growing accommodation and acceptance of drug use Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a key feature of normalization?

Enhancing regulatory measures Signup and view all the answers

How is 'drug trying' typically measured in studies on normalization?

Using self-reported lifetime prevalence data Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'Drugwise' feature assess in youth regarding drug use?

Knowledge and cultural familiarity with drugs Signup and view all the answers

What implication does normalization have on policy recommendations regarding drug use?

Encourage decriminalization due to its cultural acceptance Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best defines cultural accommodation in the context of normalization?

Increased tolerance and understanding of drug use as a social practice Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'future intentions' in the normalization context?

Willingness to explore drug experimentation among non-users Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect does the normalization thesis emphasize as much as the behavioral component of drug use?

Cultural change and societal perception of drug use Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Drug Use Lecture Notes

A lecture on drug use will cover foundational knowledge of drugs, explore classical drug theory, different types of drug use, motivations for drug use, learning to use drugs, and the importance of drug, set, and setting.
The lecture will conclude by discussing whether drug use has become normalized.

Global Drug Use Statistics

In 2020, 284 million people aged 15-64 used drugs worldwide.
This represents a 26% increase compared to the previous decade.
Use levels today in many countries are higher than previous generations. (UNODC World Drug Report 2022)

Learning Outcomes

Students will learn about drug classifications and social constructs.
Understand different types of drugs and their classifications.
Explore motivations for drug use (e.g., fun, coping mechanisms, and social acceptance).
Learn the concept of Classical Drug Theory. (Outsiders; Drug, set, and setting; Normalization )

Definition of a Drug

A drug is any psychoactive substance that alters the mind or body, regardless of legal status or medical approval.
Drugs can be synthetic or derived from natural sources and used for medicinal, recreational, or spiritual purposes. (Coomber et al., 2016:26)

Medico-Legal Definitions of Drugs

Legal drugs: Drugs that can be legally sold, possessed, and used (e.g., tobacco, alcohol, caffeine, and prescription medicines).
Illegal or controlled drugs: Drugs whose sale, possession, or use is illegal (e.g., heroin, cocaine, CBD, and cannabis).
Illicit or quasi-legal drugs: Drugs that may not be legally controlled, but may face restrictions (e.g., tobacco and alcohol for those over 18, mis-use of prescribed drugs, or legal highs).

Physical/Psychoactive Definitions of Drugs

Stimulants: Drugs that speed up the central nervous system, causing alertness, energy, euphoria, and decreased appetite (e.g., cocaine, amphetamines, nicotine, caffeine).
Depressants: Drugs that slow down the central nervous system, reducing awareness and causing relaxation (e.g., alcohol, opiates, sedatives/hypnotics).
Hallucinogens: Drugs that distort senses and perceptions, potentially causing hallucinations (e.g., LSD, psilocin).
Deliriants: Drugs that cause disassociation between the mind and body or out-of-body experiences (e.g., solvents, ketamine).

Types of Drug Use

Drug use-misuse-abuse typology: Classifies drug use based on social acceptability (legitimate, misuse, or problematic).
Problematic-recreational typology: Classifies based on motivation or patterns of use (recreational vs. problematic). (this section includes drug user, recreational drug use and drug consumer terminologies)

Motivations for Drug Use

Explanations for drug use are based on individual biological and psychological traits and the social, economic, and cultural contexts.
There is no single reason for drug use. Potential motivations are fun, coping mechanisms, and social acceptance. (Coomber et al., 2016:34)

Environmental Factors in Drug Use

'At-risk' factors, such as chaotic home life, can influence drug use.
Protective factors, such as a stable family, can counteract risk factors
Social understanding of norms, morals, and values contribute to some behaviours

Psychological Factors in Drug Use

Some psychological explanations (for drug-use) suggest differences in personality characteristics between users and non-users (e.g., sensation-seeking).
Severe mental illness is strongly correlated with substance dependence, sometimes used as self-medication.
There is limited evidence to definitively support the existence of an "addictive personality."

Biological Influences on Drug Use

Genetic predisposition may play a role in the tendency to use drugs.
Biological research is most effective in determining continued use rather than initial use of drugs.

Drug, Set, and Setting

Drug effects are influenced by the user's mood, expectations, and environment.
Set refers to the user's mental state.
Setting refers to the environmental context of drug use. (importance of mood, expectations, environment)

Normalization of Drug Use

Normalisation describes how drug use becomes accepted in society.
It emerged in the 1990s in the UK.
Young people's increased recreational drug use (especially cannabis) is often explained through the concept of normalisation. Changes in social perceptions may be as important as factors relating to the drug itself.
Cultural change, perception of drug use and the ease of cultural accommodation play significant parts.

Policy Implications

Policies addressing drug use have focused on prohibition, but there's a debate on the effectiveness
Discussion on decriminalization of cannabis has arisen.
Debates concerning drug use often involve balancing the risks with considering the perceived benefits or rational decision-making by users.

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Description

This quiz explores various aspects of drug use from a sociological perspective. It covers topics such as risk and protective factors, motivations for drug use, and the concept of anomie. Test your knowledge about the societal influences and characteristics associated with recreational drug use.