Park University Definition and Treatment of Addiction in American Society Responses

Katrina

1. Discuss how Best’s constructionist perspective on deviance (Chapter 11) applies to the definition and treatment of addiction in American society.

“All knowledge is socially constructed; to say a social problem is socially constructed is not to imply that it does not exist, but rather that it is through social interaction that the problem is assigned particular meanings.” (Adler 107) Constructionists study many different social problems, but mostly focus on deviance such as illicit drug use. Best discusses those deemed the ‘claimsmakers’, or those who constructed social problems. Those who opened the narrative, for instance, the creation of the War on Drugs, ensued societies’ attention to America’s issue with drug use. However, these events and ‘claimsmakers’ do not necessarily convert into accomplishments that solve these types of social problems. “Thus, after wife abuse is defined as a social problem, it is still necessary for the police officer investigating a domestic call to define-or construct-these particular events of wife abuse.” (Adler 107) Considering the examples shown in the video, Cold Turkey: New Hampshire’s Prison Detox, we can see how drug use became socially constructed as deviant, and labeled as criminal. Many American’s struggling with drug use started by being a ‘good drug addict’, or someone who was prescribed opiates and used them as directed. When the government realized the problem opiate abuse was effecting society negatively, they had constructed this perspective that those abusing drugs were criminals, rather than those who may have fallen into unfortunate circumstances and required assistance. In turn, many of these people found themselves in jail or prison, labeled criminal, with no rehabilitation. Things like Suboxone were used improperly and retained a longer period of withdrawal, and once those prisoners were freed, they would relapse. The social construction of illicit drug use was negatively labeled, and due to this, the actions required to control or end this social problem were never accomplished.

1. Using a constructionist perspective, evaluate the role of the medical system (including health clinics and hospitals) in defining and treating drug addiction (be sure to discuss the video report on New Hampshire’s Prison Detox in your answer).

During the video, Cold Turkey: New Hampshire’s Prison Detox, we saw a man who needed to tell his nurse he was going to kill himself so he could be admitted and receive the help he required. “Accurate and reliable knowledge about deviance is critically important to many groups in society” (Adler 109) and this rings especially true for those within the medical system. The primary sources of data used include official statistics, survey research, and field research. “Each has its advantages and disadvantages, and each may do a better job than the others of answering certain research questions. “ (Adler 111) Due to the social construction of drug addiction, many are likely to gear focus to official statistics. These can back fire when we want to gain an understanding of more detailed accounts. Take the man from the video who finally gets admitted as an example. Statistically speaking, he will fall under the ‘self-injury’ category for admission into the emergency room. Therefore, the real reason that brought that man there, drug addiction, remains hidden. Acknowledging these considerations within the medical system is imperative. To do so, survey research can be conducted to gain better insight, although not necessarily accurate. “To elaborate, first, it is unlikely that people-especially deviants- will fill out a questionnaire and readily disclose information about the hidden aspects of their lives.” (Adler 112) Thus, misinterpretations of these surveys are expected to transpire. As clinics and hospitals handle drug addicts, it is imperative that they make use of all research available, and take all of them with a grain of salt, understanding that not any of these methods are full proof. Furthermore, problem framing of the medical system in general can be found at the source, considering that the bottleneck can be highlighted in our ‘inaccurate’ statistical data. This leads back to how society had constructed the deviance of drug addiction, which resulted in the lack of care available to those in need.

Adler, P., & Adler, P. (2016). Constructions of Deviance (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.

Diamond

• Discuss how Best’s constructionist perspective on deviance (Chapter 11) applies to the definition and treatment of addiction in American society.

Joel’s Best constructionist perspective is the idea that deviance is socially constructed. He believes that it is developed through interactions and involvements with people and social groups. “The constructionists approach recognizes that people can only understand the world in terms of words and categories that they create and share with one another.” (Best. Pg.105) Today society labels everything a sickness and believes everything requires medical treatment, including deviance. “ “Medicalization – defining deviance as a form of illness requiring medical treatment…….” (Best. pg.107). Addiction is a socially constructed disease that is sometimes difficult to treat, because of many factors such as access, costs, and the process. The video Cold Turkey: New Hampshire’s Prison Detox, discussed how difficult it is to have access to rehabilitation centers in certain areas because of the number of addictions that surround those areas.

1. Based on Chapter 39, explain the main factors involved in the BP Oil Spill and the Deepwater Horizon Explosion.

The main factors that were involved in the BP Oil Spill and Deepwater Horizon Explosion were organizational deviance. Organizational deviance, basically means that organizational goals are being violated and in turn are becoming a dangerous hazard. “Although individuals occupy organizational positions, their thoughts, actions, and behaviors are fundamentally shaped by the goals, procedures, standards, norms of an organization.” (Bradshaw. Pg. 467) another factor that led to this 2011 oil spill, is the fact that they were motivated by profit, and the opportunity of profit led workers to carelessly perform duties. Lastly, lack of control is also a factor that contributed to the BP Oil Spill. “Organizations subjected to a high operationality of social control are more likely to foster cultures, that favor compliance with laws and regulations, and organizations that are not subject to control are more likely to develop cultures of resistance.” (Bradshaw. Pg. 472). This organization’s moral codes were broken, which resulted in more deviant behavior.

Adler, P., & Adler, P. (2016). Constructions of Deviance (8th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.

Reply