Etiological Theories of Substance Abuse - Characteristics

Thomas Gouard

Moral Theory

Alcoholism and drug abuse are caused by lack of willpower or moral degradation.

Willpower, motivation, and determination are sufficient to overcome addictions.

The predominant theory of alcoholism and substance abuse through history until the 1930's

More recently, alcoholism is viewed as an accumulation of choices that include one's definition

of oneself and one's willingness to accept responsibilties

Disease Theory

Substance abuse is a disease, with signs, symptoms, and disease progression.

As a disease, substance abuse can be treated

Afflicted individual has sole responsibility for the solution

Genetic Theory

Looks for biological reasons for occurrence of substance abuse through intergenerational studies,

twin-studies, adoption studies, and a search for genetic markers.

Suggest a predisposition for substance abuse can be inherited

Behavioral TheoryAddictions are learned, socially acquired behaviors with multiple

causes

Substance abuse is influenced by biological makeup, cognitive processes, past learning, situational antecedents, and

reinforcement contingencies

Behavioral and learning factors are applied in both determining the cause of substance abuse and it's treatment

Social learning theory and stress response dampening are behavioral explanations for development of substance abuse

Behavioral factors such as behavioural sequences, situational contingencies, and stressors are analyzed to ascertain the cause

of substance abuse

Sociocultural TheoryEnvironmental and social pressures contribute to the

development of substance abuse

Multiple social pressures such as unemployment, single-parent families, and poverty foster the development of

substance abuse

Societal attitudes toward alcohol and drugs contribute to their use or non use

Family and peer attitudes toward substance abuse influence their usage

Peer clusters have great influence over adolescent attitudes toward substance usage

Theory Integration

Substance abuse results from the interaction of predisposing factors, sociological factors, and

psychological factors

Substance abusers are seen within the larger context encompassing all known influences for development

of substance abuse