-By Timothy Lyons
The DSM-5 now uses the term Substance Use Disorder to discuss substance abuse. It is a recognized disorder and is included in the manual of mental disorders. That being said, it seems difficult to defend the position that this extremely complex situation is “self-induced”. Is Substance Abuse Self Induced? Perhaps a person who maintains this idea is someone who is not knowledgeable about the field of addiction.
Is Substance abuse self induced?
In Gabor Mate’s In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts there is a definition for substance use that seems to be very valuable. He excludes neither the disease model nor the idea that this problem is self- induced while reminding readers that if one were to only use this concept it would be too narrow to truly explain and understand substance abuse. They are part of this complex web. If we use these definitions exclusively then we are robbing ourselves of ideas that lead to far greater leaps in treatments.
At some point every user did make the conscious choice to use. It is at that point that a number of genetic, psychological, and social aspects of the person come into play. But the actions that the precipitate this, taking a drink or drug, in many persons do not lead to substance use disorder.
If there is a person that makes this initial statement who has enough knowledge to explain the difference there is a choir that is waiting to learn. The truth is probably somewhere in between. In almost all cases, the person who becomes addicted is one that chose to use. Their genetics, social setting and family background play a part in that addiction and that person does not have control over this.
There are many who would argue that this is not the case. The user has choices. Each and every time. The person who says this is just as knowledgeable as the family member who indulges the newly sober drug addict. Perhaps allowing them to take a few drinks because they were only addicted to drugs. They don’t understand “Is Substance Abuse Self Induced”? They really have no idea about the disorder or any of its components.
References
Maté, G. (2008). In the realm of hungry ghosts: Close encounters with addiction. Vintage Canada.