In: Psychology
What is the importance of understanding cultural, religious, gender, sexual orientation, or disabilities in addressing and/or treating alcohol or substance use disorders?
Provide short answers of 100-150 words for the following question. Do not exceed 200 words for your response. Include a minimum of one scholarly resource in addition to the course textbook.
An understanding of social, religious , gender and cultural forces in understanding andctreating substance abuse is neccesary. Individuals are a product of their cultural values and religious ideologies. For example, let's take an example of Native Americans, whose land was invaded, looted, their women were raped and men were murdered by who we today call as the 'modern day Americans' . This historically devastating memory of genocide has been passed from generation to generation.Thus, this makes Native Americans more vulnerable to consume alcohol or indigenous alcohol beverages. The same can be generalised about the African - American community. Historical pain of being traded as slaves is still embedded in the memories of the present generation. High rate of drug and substance abuse within this communityis symbolic of their marginalized social status and inequality in rights/treatments as a citizen of United States.Another example of sexual orientation leading to consumption of alcohol or drugs can be examined by studying the LGBT community in a Catholic country like Ireland. Although Ireland has legalised LGBT marraige but this community is still frowned upon and is shamed for coming out (to family or society).This trauma of non-acceptance and inducement of guilt and shame , by the society often encourages the population to turn to alcohol or drugs.Thus, understanding the culture,religious, sexual and other factors in treatment of substance use disorder is necessary, as it not only understands the root cause of the disorder , but also helps in avoiding a relapse of the same.
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