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ADDICTION, CRIME, AND ABSTINENCE - AN INVESTIGATION OF ADDICT BEHAVIOR

NCJ Number
49427
Author(s)
J W COLEMAN
Date Published
1975
Length
341 pages
Annotation
THEORIES ATTEMPTING TO EXPLAIN BEHAVIOR PATTERNS AMONG DRUG ADDICTS ARE REVIEWED, AND AN ALTERNATIVE, 'CULTURAL LEARNING' THEORY, BASED IN PART ON INTERVIEWS WITH 34 ADDICTS, IS PROPOSED.
Abstract
THE MORAL DECAY THEORY HOLDS THAT ADDICTION TO NARCOTICS CAUSES PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL CHANGES THAT ERODE MORAL CHARACTER. THE ECONOMIC COMPULSION THEORY ARGUES THAT ADDICTS ARE FORCED TO LIVE A LIFE OF CRIME IN ORDER TO SUPPORT THEIR HABIT. THE PRECEDING CRIMINALITY THEORY HOLDS THAT MOST ADDICTS WERE CRIMINALS AND DEVIANTS BEFORE THEY BEGAN USING NARCOTICS AND MERELY CONTINUE THEIR ESTABLISHED BEHAVIORAL PATTERNS. THESE THEORIES PROVED INADEQUATE WHEN TESTED AGAINST THE BEHAVIOR OF ADDICTS OTHER THAN AMERICAN 'JUNKIES.' THE CULTURAL LEARNING THEORY ACCOUNTS FOR ALL FORMS OF NARCOTICS ADDITION. THIS THEORY ARGUES THAT ADDICTS BEHAVE AS THEY DO BECAUSE OF THE CULTURE THAT SURROUNDS THE USE OF NARCOTICS. IN THE UNITED STATES, THE ADDICT IS NOT CONSIDERED AN AUTONOMOUS, RESPONSIBLE INDIVIDUAL, BUT IS LOOKED ON AS A HELPLESS PAWN OF THE DRUG. INTERNALIZED BY THE ADDICT, THIS BELIEF AFFORDS A POWERFUL RATIONALIZATION FOR WHATEVER DEVIANT ACTS THE ADDICT MAY FEEL ARE NECESSARY TO SUPPORT THE HABIT. THE ADDICT'S DEVIANCE IS FURTHER ENCOURAGED BY ASSOCIATION WITH OTHER ADDICTS. THE THEORY ALSO EXPLAINS THE ORIGINS OF ADDICTION, HOLDING THAT PEOPLE BECOME ADDICTS WHEN THEY APPLY THE CULTURAL DEFINITION OF ADDICTION TO THEMSELVES, AND THAT MOTIVATION TO DO SO IS PROVIDED BY THE DESIRE TO AVOID PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR DRUG-RELATED BEHAVIOR. ONCE PEOPLE DEFINE THEMSELVES AS ADDICTS, THE BELIEF THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO STOP USING DRUGS BECOMES A SELF-FULFILLING PROPHECY. EXAMINATION OF DATA ON ADDICTS WHO MADE SERIOUS ATTEMPTS TO ABSTAIN REVEALS THAT, ALTHOUGH ADDICTION AND THE ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORAL PATTERNS ARE CULTURALLY LEARNED, ABSTINENCE IS MOTIVATED AT A MORE PERSONAL LEVEL. COMMITMENT TO ABSTINENCE ORIGINATES IN THE SLOW PROCESS OF PERSONAL DETERIORATION KNOWN AS THE 'SPIRAL DOWN.' EVENTUALLY THE ADDICT REACHES THE BOTTOM OF THE SPIRAL AND IS OVERCOME BY PERSONAL DESPAIR. COMPELLED TO REEXAMINE HIS OR HER LIFE, THE ADDICT MUST CHOOSE AMONG THREE OPTIONS: SUICIDE, RETURN TO DRUGS, OR PERSONAL REORIENTATION. FOR THOSE WHO CHOOSE THE LAST OPTION, THE SENSE OF DESPAIR CAN BE A POWERFUL MOTIVATION. A BIBLIOGRAPHY AND CASE HISTORIES ARE INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--LKM)

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