THE SOCIAL “SIDE” OF ADOLESCENT DRUG ADDICTION

GONCA POLAT ULUOCAK

BAŞKENT UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK

What comes to mind when you see or hear the word "drug"?

WHAT IS ADDICTION?

Drug addiction involves compulsively seeking to use a substance, regardless of the potentially negative social, psychological and physical consequences.

DSM DIAGNOSIS (Substance Dependence)

Three (or more) of the following, occurring any time in the same 12-month period:

1. Tolerance 2. Withdrawal 3. Larger amounts of substance taken 4. Persistent desire or unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control

substance use. 5. Time spent in activities to obtain the substance, use the

substance, or recover from its effects. 6. Reduced social, occupational, recreational activities 7. Continuation of substance use despite harmful effects

The Types of Drugs

What are examples of drugs used in your area?

The Types of Drugs

Alcohol Cigarette (Nicotine) Opiats (heroin, morphine, codein) Hallucinogens (LSD) Stimulants (Methamphetamine, Amphetamine,

cocain, ecstacy Cannibis Hypnosedatives (Benzodiazepines) Inhalants (Bally, Thinner)

ADOLESCENT DRUG USE

WHO: Adolescence is a period between the ages 10-19

Adolescence is a stage of searching;

Searching for identity..

Searching for joy ...

Searching for excitement…

Searching for difference…

Searching for independence……

ADOLESCENT-ADULT DRUG USE

STAGES (PROCESS) EFFECTS SOCIAL FACTORS

CAUSES OF ADDICTION

1. Adolescent development (biological and psychological)

2. Mental illness

3. Environmental chaos

4. Widespread availability of drugs

CHARACTERISTICS OF ADU

Curiosity Family and friends are important factors

for either risk or protection Many of them use polydrugs; different

drugs together Many of them give up, with the support of

their families, usually before adulthood.

MYTHS ABOUT DU/DA

Drug addiction occurs as a result of free will. You choose to become addicted.

Drug addiction happens in people who have a ‘weak’ character or lack self-discipline

Marijuana is not addicting People who carry on taking drugs after

treatment are a waste of time and will never beat their addiction

TRADITIONAL-ALTERNATIVE FRAMEWORKS

Health Legal

(Physiological) (Crime)

Psychological

PROBLEM DRUG USE

Social

Health Legal

Psychological

Social Dimension

The social risk and protective factors of addiction;

The social rehabilitation dimension of the treatment

The social reintegration process after treatment.

Social Reintegration

EMCDDA: Any integrative efforts for drug users in the community

Education (which includes training), Housing Employment

Recovery will occur only if;

Abstinence has more to offer than addiction Find a purpose in their drug-free lives Meaningful roles and activities that offer them

self-respect and pride New daily routines that do not involve criminal

activities Access to a decent income, adequate housing,

employment opportunities; family relationships and being connected to community networks.

Social Exclusion

Exclusion of a person-or a group- from normal activities and decision making processes of the society

Not integrated with the society’s economic, social, law and cultural sub-systems

According to a research in Turkey (Ogel,2005)

<non-users> Unemplyed Poor Have problem in

social relations Steals Can easily lie Agressive

<users> Lack of capacity to

struggle with problems

Shy and fearful Lack of self

confidence Sensitive and kind Weak and ill

Results of Stigma&Exclusion ¼ of drug users are not employed or promoted. Even they are

ex-users, most of them are not having the job if they tell their story.

They are obliged to work without insurance in some cases Young people using drugs are not able to take grants or benefit

the educational programs. In USA some states restrict their social assistance to the young drug users. (Even the intention behind is to decrease drug use, it stil is a disciriminatory practice).

An important amount of drug users are not able to receive treatment because of not having insurance or can not afford the costs.

1/10 drug users are feeling ashamed to be under drug treatment

Attitudes

Drug user adolescents are; Patient for the doctor, Insane for the psychiatrists, Sinful, for the religious people, “Bad Child” of the family Problem student for the teacher Problem for the whole society

Attitudes of Health Care Workers face stigma and discrimination controllable stigma’ More contact brings more understanding….

Activity

Thank you for your attention

and contribution