This paper analyzes and examines substance abuse and substance dependence.
The paper shows that substance abuse greatly impacts many, if not all, aspects of an individual’s life and is typically linked to behavioral, economic, educational, legal, medical, psychological, public health, and social problems. This paper analyzes and examines substance abuse and substance dependence. In Part II, the general causes and effects of substance abuse and substance dependence are addressed. Part III examines the psychiatric aspects of substance abuse. In Part IV, the relationship between substance abuse and crime is outlined. Finally, this paper concludes with a way to improve the awareness and treatment of psychiatric disorders and substance abuse.
The correlation between substance abuse and crime has been well-documented over the past 25 years and may be explained by Gottfredson’s and Hirschi’s general theory of crime. According to their theory, the criminal act and the criminal offender are separate concepts. The criminal act is perceived as opportunity; illegal activities that people engage in when they perceive them to be advantageous.