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Introduction:
In order to effectively analyze the social problem that is a lack of
necessary treatment for those who suffer from addictions, it is important to
first define what the term addiction is, how it will be referred to in this paper
and the perspectives that will be used to analyze the problem. According to
the American Society of Addiction Medicine (2011) addiction is defined as a
primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related
circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological,
psychological, social and spiritual manifestations. This is reflected in an
individual pathologically pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and
other behaviors (p. 1).
For the purposes of this paper, addiction will primarily focus on the
chronic disease that revolves around the need for substances such as legal
drugs, illegal drugs, and alcohol. In 2007 the Substance Abuse and Mental
Health Administration determined alcohol was the primary substance of
addiction. Alcohol along with opiates (heroin), marijuana, cocaine, and
stimulants (in order of greatest to least prevalence) accounted for 96%
addictions in need of treatment in 2007 (p. 3). This means that there are
numerous substances or things that can cause an addiction, but this analysis
will mainly focus on addictions caused by alcohol and the drugs that were
just described. In short, an addiction is a disease in which an individual is
dependent on some sort of unhealthy substance that provides what the
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which serves a function and (ideally) contributes to the overall stability of the
society (p. 21). The functionalist perspective assumes that society functions
through a balanced state, Johnson and Rhodes (2014) makes the point that a
functionalist generally believes if one part changes, all the other parts are
affected and the system may no longer run smoothly (p. 11). Basically, the
functionalist perspective perceives society as a system that is maintained by
the functions of its different parts (whether good or bad); if one of these
parts does not function as it should, then the balance of the larger society
will be disrupted. The functionalist mainly sees the individual as the cause to
whatever social problem he/she may be experiencing.
The conflict perspective takes an opposite viewpoint from the
functionalist perspective. Johnson and Rhodes (2014) describe the conflict
perspective view by stating unlike the functionalist perspective, conflict
theorists argue that social systems are no united or harmonious but are
divided by class, gender, race, or other characteristics that reflect
differences in social power as much as anything else (p. 12). Conflict
perspective derives from Karl Marxs description of the struggle among the
classes. A conflict theorist would view social problems within society as the
product of some sort of power struggle within society; there is not enough
resources in society to provide for everyones needs, only those with more
power can obtain them and those with less power suffer. A conflict theorist
sees society as the primary cause for whatever social issue an individual
may be experiencing. These two unique perspectives will be applied to the
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problem addressed in this paper in an attempt to view this issue from very
different lenses in order to better understand this issue as a whole.
There are many different explanations offered as to why this is occurring, but
that will be addressed in the next section. In order to analyze this problem,
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addiction. This means that the power struggle in society directly contributes
to the occurrence of addiction and for that reason society should take the
necessary steps to fix this problem and try to prevent it from happening in
the first place. The ASAPNYS (2014) poses the argument, from a conflict
persepective, that unfortunately, our society and health care system have
been slow to recognize and respond to addiction as a chronic but treatable
condition, leaving millions of Americans without access to the treatment and
supportive services they need to sustain their long- term health (p. 1).
Conflict theorists see addiction as a disease that needs to be addressed by
society, while functionalists see addiction as a problem of the individual.
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New Jersey among those who suffer from an addiction but are not receiving
treatment. The figure below covers the reasons among those surveyed for
why they were not receiving treatment for their illness:
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already wealthy. Johnson and Rhodes, when discussing the conflict view of
health care, state members of the medical establishment, not health care
consumers, determine the demand by deciding what kinds of medical
services and supplies are needed and then providing them at the prices they
set. Often there are inherent conflicts of interest (p. 157). Conflict theorists
believe that our health care system primarily serves to produce wealth,
giving the best treatments to those who can afford it, while those who do not
have the financial means to receive treatment are left on the back burner.
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toqualityaddictiontreatmentservicescanincreasethepotentialforallcommunitiesto
realizethepromisesofhealthcarereform.Wemustdemandthesamelevelofaccessto
carethatindividualswithotherchronichealthcareconditionshavealreadyobtained.
From a functionalist perspective, organizations function through the
different roles of individuals; in order to continually function smoothly, these
organizations should take care of individuals so that, in return, everything
functions as as it should. This means organizations should contribute to
rehabilitating those with addictions. From a conflict perspective, it is the duty
of organizations that have influence in society to end discrimination on all
different levels. This means that organizations should advocate for broader
health care coverage and funding for addiction treatment.
Conclusion:
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References
ASAM Board of Directors. (2011, April 19). Definition of Addiction. Retrieved
November 25, 2014, from http://www.asam.org/for-thepublic/definition-of-addiction
Copoccia, V., McCarty, D., & Schmidt, L. (2010, May 3). Closing the Addiction
Treatment Gap: A Priority for Health Care Reform. Retrieved November
25, 2014, from
http://www.spotlightonpoverty.org/ExclusiveCommentary.aspx?
id=049a9de2-a1fc-447e-b36d-3ac90e0bca10
Johnson, M. & Rhodes, R. (2014). Human Behavior and the Larger Social
Environment: Context for Social Work Practice and Advocacy. (3rd ed.)
Boston: Allyn & Bacon
Kendall, D. (2013). Sociology in our times (9th ed.) Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
NCADD. (2014, January 1). Closing the Addiction Treatment Gap. Retrieved
November 25, 2014, from http://www.ncaddnj.org/file.axd?
file=2010/3/TreatmentGapWeb.pdf
Open Society Foundations. (2010, January 1). Defining the Addiction
Treatment Gap. Retrieved November 25, 2014, from
http://www.asapnys.org/files/CATGSummary.pdf
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2013, January
1). Results from the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health:
Summary of National Findings. Retrieved November 25, 2014, from
http://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/NSDUHresultsPDFWHTML2013
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