Preventing Drug Addiction: Traditional and Social Approaches

This presentation discusses traditional and social approaches to preventing drug addiction. It covers the strengths and limitations of these approaches, government policies and programs, and more.

If you do cocaine,
You’ll go insane!
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Objective
• The objective of the presentation is to gain a
sound understanding of the traditional and social
approaches, beneficial for preventing drug
addiction.
• Drugs have been part of the human culture since
the beginning of the last century.
• Drug abuse refers to the non-permissible
consumption of substances that lead to
psychological or physical dependence (Gauffin,
Vinnerljung, Fridell, Hesse & Hjern, 2013, p.1441).
• These were popularized in the 1960s by mass
media and music
• According to the WHO, at least 15.3 million
people suffer from drug abuse related disorders
(WHO, 2017).

Drug types
• Soft drugs- They produce no or
little significant physical or
psychological dependence and are
illicit. e.g., marijuana, caffeine,
nicotine, and alcohol.
• Hard drugs- These are highly
addicitve and often injectable.
They cause great damages. e.g.,
heroin, cocaine, morphine, opiates,
codeine, and methamphetamine.
• Use of these hard drugs are
considered as an illegal behaviour.

Approach to drug prevention
• Traditional approach- Urges the youth to
withstand their peer pressure and makes them
say no to drugs and alcohol. Also includes
various therapeutic approaches that are based
on Buddhist, Taoist, Islamic, Hindu and
Shamanic traditions.
• Social approach- Focuses on the role of the
family, and social norms to prevent use of
drugs.

Traditional approach 1
• Acupuncture- Conventional
approach that is used for addiction
recovery programs (Lua & Talib,
2013, p.28)
• Involves shallow insertion of thin
needle at various skin locations
• Helps in easing withdrawal
symptoms and also reduces cravings
• Eases physical pain
• Decreases stress and anxiety

Traditional approach 2
• Refuge recovery- Mindfulness-based
addiction prevention program that
utilises and practices Buddhsim
philosophy as the foundation for
recovery (Shonin, Van Gordon, Slade
& Griffiths, 2013, p.367)
• Empathy and knowledge are
considered as the best means to
overcome drug addiction
• These attempts help to escape
craving

Traditional approach 3
• Chinese herbal medicine- promotes
detoxification of the body
• The bring about heightened sense of ease or
relaxation in the body
• These herbs also stimulate production of
endorphine, which helps to overcome addiction
• They improve circulation, promote mental
health and helps to cope with stress

Strength and Limitations
• Strength- Help in relaxation; eases escaping
craving; reduces anxiety and stress
• Weakness- Difficult to convince addicts to
adhere to the traditional philosophies of
Buddhism or Taoism; Chinese herbal
medicines may show adverse effects; Might
lead to relapse of addiction in the long run

Social approach 1
• Direct confrontation- Help from
healthcare professionals are taken by
the family members and friends of the
addicts, to confront them regarding
their dependence on drugs (Rigter et
al., 2013, p.86).
• This approach helps in exploring their
addiction and involves an informed
conversation
• The recovery options and insurance
coverage are explored in the same

Social approach 2
• State funded rehabilitation centers- These are
built by using funds from the government and
support the addicts
• Inpatient, outpatient, and facilities of partial
hospitalization are made available by the
government that aids the people to recover
• Professionals extend their help to facilitate easy
conduction of the drug addiction program

Social approach 3
• Helpline numbers- Acts as a significant
step for helping people recover from
drug addiction (Van Boekel, Brouwers,
Van Weeghel & Garretsen, 2013,
p.25).
• Listens to the demands and
preferences of the patients and
reduces their drug dependency,
thereby enhancing their rehabilitation
• Counseling- Conducted within the
auspices of mental health addiction
models and takes into account help
from family members to treat
addiction

Strengths and Limitations
• Strengths- Provides exhaustive information to
the patients and their family on the effects of
addiction on the physiologic system; family
therapy sessions facilitate easy recovery of the
person; helps in addressing multiple facets of
the human life
• Weakness- Might lead to strained relationship
with friends and family; patients might show
noncompliance to the counseling strategies

Government policies
• National Ice Taskforce has been adopted by
the government, with the aim of combating
drug addiction
• The objectives of the policies are:
1. Empower local communities and provide
support to families
2. Target drug use prevention and education
to the vulnerable people
3. Focus law enforcement
4. Invest in workforce support and treatment
(The Department of Health, 2016)
5. Conduct better research and guidelines
Cost- $300m funding

Government programs
• Drug and Alcohol Program funds treatment for
substance abuse prevention.
• Funds the treatment services and prevention
activities (The Department of Health, 2016)
• Supports National leadership activity for
guiding the government policies
• $302.458 million funding for four years

Government Needle and Syringe Programs
(NSPs)
• Provides support for increasing
education, referral services and
counselling with the use of
community based services
• Increases accessibility through
medical outlets and
pharmacies (The Department
of Health, 2016)
• $243million funding was
provided from 2000-2009

Conclusion
• Drug abuse prevention programs focus on a range of
approaches that provide education regarding the
underlying factors that lead to drug dependence.
• The traditional approaches focus on use of herbal
medicines, Taoism, Buddhism and acupuncture.
• The social approaches focus on family therapy, counseling
sessions, rehabilitation centers and government programs.
• Hence, there is a need to implement social approaches to
provide necessary support to the addicts, for facilitating
their recovery.

References
Gauffin, K., Vinnerljung, B., Fridell, M., Hesse, M., & Hjern, A. (2013). Childhood socio economic status, school‐
failure and drug abuse: a Swedish national cohort study. Addiction, 108(8), 1441-1449. https://
doi.org/10.1111/add.12169
Lua, P. L., & Talib, N. S. (2013). Auricular acupuncture for drug dependence: an open-label randomized
investigation on clinical outcomes, health-related quality of life, and patient acceptability. Alternative
therapies in health and medicine, 19(4), 28. Retrieved from-
https://search.proquest.com/openview/408eced31041e120ced118818a8cc82c/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&c
bl=32528
Rigter, H., Henderson, C. E., Pelc, I., Tossmann, P., Phan, O., Hendriks, V., ... & Rowe, C. L. (2013).
Multidimensional family therapy lowers the rate of cannabis dependence in adolescents: A randomised
controlled trial in Western European outpatient settings. Drug & Alcohol Dependence, 130(1), 85-93.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2012.10.013
Shonin, E., Van Gordon, W., Slade, K., & Griffiths, M. D. (2013). Mindfulness and other Buddhist-derived
interventions in correctional settings: A systematic review. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 18(3), 365-
372. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2013.01.002
The Department of Health. (2016). Illicit drugs- Programs and publications addressing the use of illicit
drugs.. Retrieved from http://www.health.gov.au/illicitdrugs.
Van Boekel, L. C., Brouwers, E. P., Van Weeghel, J., & Garretsen, H. F. (2013). Stigma among health professionals
towards patients with substance use disorders and its consequences for healthcare delivery: systematic
review. Drug & Alcohol Dependence, 131(1), 23-35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.02.018
World Health Organisation. (2017). Management of substance abuse- Facts and Figures. Retrieved from
http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/facts/en/.

Thank you!