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Substance Use and Abuse Sociological Perspectives
Victor N. Shaw
ISBN: 0-275-97139-2
ISBN-13: 978-0-275-97139-7
288 pages
Praeger Publishers
Publication: 10/30/2002
List Price: $105.00 (UK Sterling Price: £72.95)
Availability: In Stock
Media Type: Hardcover
Also Available: Ebook
Trim Size: 6 1/8 x 9 1/4
Subjects: Awards:
  • Choice Outstanding Academic Title, 2003
Description: While the issues of substance use and abuse have been addressed from a variety of perspectives and approaches, the fundamental social issues have not been covered in any systematic way. This book represents the first academic effort to apply major sociological theories to the field of substance use and abuse in order to provide readers with a solid knowledge base from which they may develop more informed ideas about prevention, intervention, treatment, law enforcement, and social reactions to this ubiquitous social problem. Using a systematic framework, Shaw reviews the existing literature, explains key concepts, addresses fundamental issues, and discusses the policy implications for public health, social control, community, and work. This comprehensive sociological treatment of substance use and abuse is essential reading for educators in public policy, sociology, criminology, and deviance.

Applying the major sociological theories of anomie, career, conflict, functionalist, rational choice, social control, social disorganization, social learning, social reaction, and subculture perspectives, Shaw provides an important overview of the issues involved with substance use and abuse. By utilizing such an approach, he demonstrates that public views, governmental policies, intervention strategies, and prevention programming can be informed by the different sociological theories. This unique consideration and analysis illustrates that no single view on substance use and abuse is absolute or sacred. Therefore, considering the issues from a variety of sociological perspectives will bring greater understanding to a pervasive social problem that continues to plague American society.
Table of Contents:
  • Introduction
    The Anomie Perspective
    The Career Perspective
    The Conflict Perspective
    The Functionalist Perspective
    The Rational Choice Perspective
    The Social Control Perspective
    The Social Disorganization Perspective
    The Social Learning Perspective
    The Social Reaction Perspective
    The Subculture Perspective
    Conclusion
    References
    Index
About the Author: VICTOR N. SHAW is Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, California State University, Northridge.
LCC Class: 362
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