Deviant Behavior

Lecture 10
Victimless Crimes: Drug Abuse and Alcohol Addiction
Drug and Alcohol Consumption as
Deviance
 Alcoholism, or alcohol use disorder, can be considered deviant behavior as it violates social norms
and expectations related to alcohol use. Alcoholism involves the excessive and compulsive use of
alcohol, which can lead to physical, social, and psychological harm to the individual and those
around them.
 Here are some ways that alcoholism can be considered deviant behavior:
 Legal norms: Alcoholism can violate legal norms as it can lead to criminal behavior such as drunk
driving, public intoxication, and disorderly conduct.
 Social norms: Alcoholism can violate social norms as it can lead to inappropriate or unacceptable
behavior, such as aggression, violence, and sexual misconduct. Alcohol use can also be stigmatized
in certain cultures or religious groups.
 Health norms: Alcoholism can violate health norms as it can lead to negative health outcomes such
as liver disease, heart disease, cancer, and mental health disorders.
 Economic norms: Alcoholism can violate economic norms as it can lead to financial problems for
individuals and society. The cost of alcoholism includes healthcare costs, lost productivity, and law
enforcement expenses.
Process of Addiction

 Experimentation or Initiation – out of curiosity or peer pressure

 Escalation – Frequency increase
 Maintaining – confidence of a user that he can carry on with his routine
 Dysfunction- May end up altering the lifestyle for worse, might end up in jail
 Recovery – Within or outside the treatment program
 Ex-Addict – Acquires new identity
Theories of Addiction

 Disease Model: The disease model of addiction suggests that addiction is a chronic and
relapsing brain disease characterized by changes in the brain's reward, motivation, and
memory systems. According to this model, addiction is caused by a combination of
genetic, environmental, and developmental factors that make some individuals more
susceptible to developing addiction.
 Behavioral Model: The behavioral model of addiction suggests that addiction is a
learned behavior that is reinforced through positive reinforcement, such as pleasure or
relief from negative emotions, and negative reinforcement, such as avoiding
withdrawal symptoms. According to this model, addiction is caused by repeated
exposure to reinforcing stimuli, such as drugs or alcohol, in the absence of alternative
sources of reinforcement.
 Social Learning Theory: Social learning theory suggests that addiction is learned through
interactions with others in the social environment, such as peers, family members, and
media influences. According to this model, addiction is caused by exposure to
individuals who engage in addictive behaviors or media portrayals of addictive
behaviors.
 Self-Medication Theory: Self-medication theory suggests that addiction is a
form of self-medication for underlying mental health conditions such as
depression, anxiety, or trauma. According to this model, addiction is caused
by the use of drugs or alcohol to alleviate symptoms of underlying mental
health conditions.
 Dual Process Model: The dual process model suggests that addiction is caused
by the interaction between impulsive and reflective cognitive processes.
According to this model, addiction is caused by a tendency towards impulsive
decision-making and a lack of consideration for the long-term consequences
of substance use.
 Public welfare perspective- view it as a behavioral issue and advocate it to be
dealt with community resources instead of law.
 Treatment program- to promote abstinence- harm reduction(sterilized
syringes)
 Heroine treatment – take months – use of methadone – to reduce withdrawal
symptoms
 Self-help groups by former addicts
 Synanon- employed learning theory by engaging addicts with non-addicts sub-
culture- personal willingness, participation in shared activities, complete
dissociation from former addict subculture
Drunkenness and Alcohoism

 Alcohol and Tobacco – cause more physica, mental and social harm than any
other drug
 Difference of different alcoholic beverages in terms of harms- wine is
considered less harmful due to its situation specific consumption
 Social norms determine as to what could be considered as deviant drinking
 Physiological dimension- depends on the rate of absorption in the body
 Automobile related accidents- infants with mental or physical defects
 Drunken behavior vs Sobriety – varies from culture to culture
 Its impact on mental faculties however remain universal
 Freedom from inhibitions
Types of Drinkers

 Social or Controlled drinkers- for the sake of socialization- may or may not
like the taste or its effects
 Heavy drinker- consumption of alcohol exceeds socially accepted standards
 Effects also determine the classification of heavy drinking- Impact on work
related performance (blue-collar workers), neglect of children (women)
 Problem drinker- not all heavy drinkers are problem drinkers – results into
physiological or social problems
 Chronic alcoholics- consume large amount of alcohol for a longer period of
time- results into compulsion of continual drinking
 Emotionally living in the past- avoiding present and future
Deviant theories and alcohol and drug
abuse
 Strain Theory: Strain theory suggests that individuals experience strain or stress when they
are unable to achieve their goals through legitimate means, leading them to engage in
deviant behavior as a means of coping. Drug abuse and alcoholism can be seen as a coping
mechanism for individuals who are experiencing stress or strain in their lives, such as
financial difficulties, social isolation, or trauma.
 Social Learning Theory: Social learning theory suggests that individuals learn deviant
behaviors through interactions with others in their social environment, such as peers,
family members, and media influences. Drug abuse and alcoholism can be learned through
exposure to individuals who engage in these behaviors or through media portrayals of
substance use.
 Labeling Theory: Labeling theory suggests that individuals who are labeled as deviant by
society may be more likely to continue engaging in deviant behavior due to the
stigmatization and discrimination they face. Individuals who struggle with drug abuse or
alcoholism may be labeled as "addicts" or "alcoholics" and may experience social and
economic consequences as a result.
 Cultural Deviance Theory: Cultural deviance theory suggests that deviant
behavior is more prevalent in communities that experience high levels of
social disorganization and cultural conflict. Drug abuse and alcoholism may be
more prevalent in communities where substance use is normalized or where
access to drugs and alcohol is easy.
 Differential Association Theory: Differential association theory suggests that
individuals learn deviant behavior through interactions with others who hold
deviant values and beliefs. Drug abuse and alcoholism may be learned through
exposure to individuals who hold positive attitudes towards substance use or
who actively encourage drug and alcohol use.