Behavioral Theory Of Substance Abuse

Intro As of 2013 an estimated 22.7 million Americans needed treatment for a drug related problem but only 2.5 million received treatment at a specialty facility” (Drug Facts, pg. 7). This is a pretty big gap in needed treatment. One must ask why aren’t people seeking treatment? Could it be lack of health care, resistance or outright denial? Once a person has decided to try to escape their addiction they must get help. Clearly if they could do it themselves they most likely wouldn’t have a substance use disorder. A rehab facility is a place that can not only help people recover from the physical and mental drug addiction but learn to live a sober life free of drugs.
Drug Use Disorder A person may begin using drugs for a variety of reasons. The disease theory suggests “that people who use substances are actually suffering from an illness” (Stevens & Smith, pg. 101). The behavioral theory suggests that a person may be influenced by their environment and developed a “learned behavior that encourages substance use and abuse” (Stevens & Smith, pg. 110-111). There may be a history of “substance abuse in their family that has a genetic link” (Stevens & Smith, pg. 105). If all of these things are components that …show more content…
162). This can give clients who normally don’t have the stability of a place to live to get treatment. One reason why residential facilities are considered the “primary modality for treating substance use disorders is because they believe it removes the person from the triggers that are caused by the demand and contingencies of their daily life” (Stevens & Smith, pg. 101). Of course they will eventually return to that life but armed with education and with the goal of maintaining sobriety. The family dynamics that make up a household that includes a substance abuser can be very dysfunctional and