Attachment Theory And Substance Abuse

Despite measures to restrict the age limit on the consumption of alcohol, it is still a prevalent problem in many communities. Communities are saturated with residential treatment programs, self-help groups, and Alcoholics Anonymous, however; binge drinking, motor vehicle accidents, and social problems are still a concern. Society has created a platform in which alcohol is used as a mascot to entice individuals to go overboard with alcohol consumption. At one time, alcoholism was viewed as a vice that could be overcome with will power alone. Now, it is recognized as a chronic condition with relapse rates that are comparable to diseases like high blood pressure (Whalin, 2011). Alcohol use is commonly associated with poor academic and …show more content…
Research suggests that individuals with secure attachment to parents develop skills to manage decisions (Grossmann et al., 2008). On the other hand, those with insecure attachments have a problem with controlling emotions and impulses (van der Kolk & Fisher, 1994). Studies show trust, communication, and non-alienation is 3 major components of attachment in early childhood that determines an individual’s alcohol misuse or dependence (Borawski, Ievers-Landis, Lovergreen, &Trapi, 2003). A study was conducted to test the hypothesis of the attachment theory to determine if secure or insecure attachment contributed to alcoholism. The study indicated, individuals’ feelings of insecurity in relationships and interpersonal relationships; particularly their sense of themselves is viewed as inadequate and undeserving which appear to have a direct effect on the motivated use of alcohol to cope with negative effects, and an indirect effect on drinking related-problems (MacLean & Lecci, …show more content…
The final limitation to the study is the omission of the state of mind surrounding the reasons for insecurities i.e. abuse or trauma. Strengths of this approach is being able to include multiple theoretically based measures in addition to brief intervention, because the intervention is simple, inexpensive to provide, and proven as a preventive method to stop the early onset of risky behaviors. I learned that attachment theory is primarily about individuals developing the self and relationships with others’. The NASW code of ethics states that all clients’ have a right to self-determination, as a social worker my goal will be to help guide clients’ as they make important transitions throughout their