فصلنامه اعتیاد پژوهی
پیاپی 5 (زمستان 1382)

The present article addresses the relationshop between social anomie and drug addiction and tries to show that how we can apply anomie theory to clarify the aspects of this social problem in our society. By reviewing Durkheim’s and Merton’s anomie theories and Agnew’s mental-social theory، this article attempts to show that despite of fundamental differences in these two theories، Iranian Society has an anomic situation and this situation has a high poteniality for tendency toward drug addiction/abuse.

The present research is based on this question: “Is there any relationship between the type of used drug and the method of drug consumption with the motivation and view of drug users?” After reviewing various assumptions, the author concludes that one must consider the type of used drug, the method of consumption and even the motivation of drug use in applied categorization of addicts. The author believes that no mechanism for fighting against drug addiction phenomenon will success unless we consider the background of the addict, the type of used drug and the method of drug consumption (lifetime or recreational).

The phenomenon of illicit drugs is a physical fact with clear characteristics and objective effects which are measurable. However, its effects may or may not be compatible with observer's mental concept. One of the accepted definitions of illicit drugs in social sciences is that they affect on individual's psycho conditions namely the function of brain, spirit, kindness, feelings, understandings and thinking processes in different ways. The present study shows that only the real effects of illicit drugs do not determine their effects on consumers rather individual's motivation to drug consumption, social environment, social orders and drug consumption methods affect on the consequences of such drugs. In the meantime, hidden social motivations behind drug use and emphasizing on treatment methods are among important factors in drug addiction prevention.

In this article which is a review of sociological ideas and studies of drug abusers in social situation, drug addiction steps (particularly alcohol, heroin and cocaine consumption) are revised and some explanations are made. Also, the role of some sociological ideas in drug addiction is considered in which Anomie Theory reads: "because of such duality, the individuals who are not satisfied with their role are in hurt." According to this theory, drug users choose seclusion and neglecting usual social aims as well as competitive situations. Association of Differentiation Theory claims that drug use behavior is a learned behavior and the first learning occurs in a friendly small group (i.e. youngsters). Social Control theory believes that one can predict normal and abnormal behaviors through the rate of individual's social commitments. Internal and external controls also determine commitment rate. Micro-cultural theory considers drug use as a compatibility with abnormal micro-culture rules. Symbolic Mutual Action Believes that the etiquettes which society attribute to individuals/behaviors determine their acquired social reactions rather than any inherited acquisition.

This study investigates the socio- economic factors that cause addiction (influential in addiction). For this purpose، the studies done in this filed are investigated. After criticizing them، the theoretical framework adjusted to the research topic is presented. Subculture theory and social control theory applied as theoretical framework. Then by introducing hypotheses، it tries to investigate those factors in the addiction Peerbanan camp’s addicts (The camp is related to total office of Fars province prisons). This research is done using survey method. Statistical population of research are Peerbanan camp’s addicts، whose population were 3000 persons، when study was being done (March2004). Sample size of research are 353 persons. Information necessary for the research was gathered by interview and questioner، then it was processed by statistical tests. The conclusions of the study show that: Socio-economis status of addicts has a significant relation with the intensity of their addiction. More over، the results demonstrates that those addicts whose addiction intensity is more than other addicts، profit from more subculture traits as well. These addicts don’t have a good relation with their families and their schoolmates and teachers and their communication with social institutes is weak.

Our study is concentrating on understanding drug-related identity process which may enter important sociological visions into drug abuse pathology. It is in the framework of symbolic proactivity، cultural studies and the existing model for analyzing drug-related identity (Anderson – 1994). In this study، we have used a qualitative survey and a model test in a statistical sample cosisting white/black males and females who are under drug abuse treatment in Middle Michigan. Our data shows that identity change occures during childihood or early adolescence and is accompanied with experiences of isolationism before drug abuse which facilitates the creation of an afflicted identity as well as the loss of the ability to control the personal identity. Assimilation and drug abuse subculture have represented altenative identities for resolving such an unsuitable situation.

The present research applies the information of major plans for predicting drug consumption in 1991/1992 as well as the data of census in 1990 to evaluate this assumption that “some arrestees’ sturctural weakness-related factors” contribute in using cocaine and other opiates. This research which applies non-linear modelling techniques، reviews the effectivity of the social control factors as well as population factors in foresighting the rate of drug consumption among arrestees. This issue is also evalauted wether there is any change in the effects of such factors in the rate of drug consumption despite of structural weakness of arrestees’ residential areas. In general، the research concludes that there should be a relationship between a group of major drug users and the structural weakness of environmental factors.

Does giving up cigarette smoking help drug addicts or is harmful for them? In this respect، the data of 407 drug addicts in 15 drug treatment centers at Los Angeles were gathered. Smokers-related indicators regarding the drug consumption، urinalysis as well as more 36 surveys such as the effects of alcohol consumption on drug addiction، psycological disorders and other problems were evaluated. The results obtained from most respondents show that 95 percent of all addicts have been lifetime smokers of which 29 percent have been evolved as a result of the programme for changing the situation of cigarette smokers.