Sociocultural Model

Introduction

The sociocultural model of addiction examines substance use and substance use disorders in light of social and environmental influences. Social and environmental influences can include, but are not limited to peers, family, community and culture. In other chapters, we discussed how biological and psychological factors can place individuals at greater risk for developing substance use disorders. In this chapter we will examine the influence of “nurture” which encompasses all of the aforementioned environmental influences.

Learning Opportunity 6.1

Make a list of social and environmental factors that may contribute to substance use or behavioral/process addictions. After making your list, get into groups of three or four and share your lists. Explain why these factors may contribute to substance use or behavioral/process addictions.

Key Concepts and Definitions

built environment: “The built environment includes all of the physical parts of where we live and work (e.g., homes, buildings, streets, open spaces, and infrastructure).The built environment influences a persons level of physical activity. For example, inaccessible or nonexistent sidewalks and bicycle or walking paths contribute to sedentary habits. These habits lead to poor health outcomes such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer.” (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2011, para. 1).

cultural competence: “Cultural competence is the ability to interact effectively with people of different cultures. In practice, both individuals and organizations can be culturally competent ... Cultural competence means to be respectful and responsive to the health beliefs andpractices — and cultural and linguistic needs — of diverse population groups.” (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA|, 2016, paras 2-3)

environmental influences: environmental influences can include but are not limited to peers, family, community, the built environment, and culture ethnicity: in the United States, ethnic categories for the purposes of surveys and related matters are as follows:

Hispanic or Latino: A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race. The term, “Spanish origin”, can be used in addition to “Hispanic or Latino”.

(State Library of Iowa, n.d., para. 4).

Historically, we also refer to ethnic groups in terms of their country’s background such as Italian-Americans, Irish-Americans, etc.

race: “What we call ‘race’ are social categories ... There is currently one biological race in our species: Homo sapiens. However, that does not mean that what we call ‘races’ (our society’s way of dividing people up) don’t exist. Societies, like the USA, construct racial classifications, not as units of biology, but as ways to lump together groups of people with varying historical, linguistic, ethnic, religious, or other backgrounds.” (Fuentes, 2012, paras 2-3).

In the United States, the racial categories are as follows:

American Indian or Alaska Native: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America),and who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment.

Asian: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent including, for example, Cambodia, China. India, Japan, Korea. Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Black or African American: A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. Terms can include “Black or African American”.

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands.

White: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa

(State Library of Iowa, n.d., para. 3)

racism: prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone (or a group of people) of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior (Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights, 2019).

Sociocultural and Environmental Influences

As stated in the introduction, there are sociocultural and environmental influences related to alcohol and other drug use, misuse and addiction.This chapter addresses peers, family, community and culture. Further, we will discuss racism and poverty as sociocultural aspects that influence alcohol and other drug use and addiction. Lastly, we will address lessons learned from the environment, strengths and weaknesses of this model and we will end with a case example.

Learning Opportunity 6.2

Think of your child/young adulthood. Who impacted your decisions, actions and behaviors? How did they influence you? Were there more positive or more negative influences? And/or discuss the following: How much did your peers play into your decisions, actions and behaviors? And/or discuss the following: How much did family play into decisions, actions and behaviors? And/or address this question: How much did your community policies, laws and norms influence your decisions, actions and behaviors?