Provide a discussion on why understanding the etiology of theories is essential.
Researchers have spent years trying to find the root cause of substance abuse. Clearly throughout the years the theories proposed about the cause of addiction “are varied and controversial” (Stevens & Smith, pg.98). Even the theories that are mentioned in the text have quite divergent causes that explain “why people use” (Stevens & Smith, pg.98).
One theory, the moral theory thought “that anyone who took to drink or couldn’t control their drinking was morally corrupt” (Stevens & Smith, pg. 98). Conversely, the disease theory “sees substance abuse as an illness” (Stevens & Smith, pg.101). As you can see these are very different explanations for why people use.
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99). People begin using because they are trying to “find relief from a negative emotional state” (Stevens & Smith, pg. 99). Under the moral theory moral deficiencies “are the way a person copes with painful and threatening emotions” (Stevens & Smith, pg. 100).
The moral theory also believes that certain things that happen in childhood can also contribute to substance abuse. Some of these include “when a child experiences a disruption in their family like divorce, lack of parental supervision and behavior problems” (Stevens & Smith, pg. 100). In opposition, the disease theory “doesn’t address why a person chooses to abuse substances” (Stevens & Smith, pg. 101).
This theory also believes that “the person has the disease but it lies dormant until they first use” (Stevens & Smith, pg. 102). This theory also believes that abstinence is how to prevent substance abuse and treatment is highly recommended” (Stevens & Smith, pg. 102). As you can see, two very different theories, one the moral theory isn’t really accepted anymore and the other is still used today by