SOWK 509: The Intersection of Substance Use, Poverty, and Human Behavior

Introduction 

The complex issue of substance use disorder affects United States populations, from individual members to family units and community populations alike. The multiple social, psychological, and environmental elements unite to create substance use disorder’s complex nature. This essay evaluates the substance use disorder definition together with drug use historical analysis and human behavioral theory comparison to assess their impact on addiction concepts. This paper will demonstrate the real-world implications of substance use disorders using insights from “J” is for Junkie and Poverty in Chicago. These documentaries highlight both individual stories and systemic triggers that contribute to drug use within marginalized communities.

Defining Substance Use Disorder

Health professionals classify substance use disorder as a mental health condition that compels individuals to persistently abuse alcohol, drugs, and prescription medications. This behavior continues despite the harm it causes to their physical health, personal relationships, and daily activities (Dartmouth, 2009). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) mentions eleven diagnostic indicators for SUD, which include continued substance use and cravings and reactions when not using substances. The documentary “J” is for Junkie shows Judy living a life that follows the described criteria precisely (Mary Cooley, 2018). Judy’s continuous crack cocaine use, together with debilitating health effects, reveals how addiction forms a cycle because she maintains her drug intake even though it causes severe damage to her wellness.

Historical Perspectives: The Moral vs. Disease Model

Drug use appears through two major interpretive frameworks that have become prevalent in human history: the moral and disease models. The moral model ruled addiction beliefs until the mid-20th century by considering substance use as an indicator of weakness or immoral conduct in individuals. People facing addiction received punitive actions instead of compassionate medical intervention under this approach. Alternatively, the disease model achieved widespread acceptance during the second half of the twentieth century as it demonstrated addiction to be a chronic disease shaped by neurological and genetic alongside environmental elements (US Department of Health and Human Services, 2019). This shift emphasizes medical intervention, therapy, and long-term management.

The disease model characterizes Judy’s addiction in “J” Is For Junkie when the film depicts her addictive condition as a complex system that controls her despite numerous attempts to stop using drugs. Through the documentary, we see how her crack cocaine addiction goes beyond poor choices, involving neurological and psychological factors that impair normal functioning. These elements highlight the need for medical support in her treatment and recovery (Mary Cooley, 2018).

Theories of Human Behavior and Substance Use

According to cognitive behavioral theory (CBT) and social learning theory (SLT), substance use development throughout life follows two main behavioral pathways as comprehensively shown below.

Cognitive Behavioral Theory (CBT)

The Cognitive Behavioral Theory explains how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors connect and how negative thoughts produce harmful behavioral reactions, including substance abuse (Cosden et al., 2004). The theory of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy shows that addiction often results when people develop distorted thought patterns, which lead to increased substance use behaviors. The objective of cognitive behavioral theory interventions is to help people discover unrealistic thoughts and then transform them into healthier strategies combined with beliefs that drive beneficial behavioral transformations.

Shockingly, Judy’s struggles in “J” is for Junkie are portrayed to illustrate the theoretical concepts of cognitive distortions as outlined in Cognitive Behavioral Theory (CBT). In her thoughts, she feels helpless about overcoming her addiction because she believes that transformation is beyond her abilities. These unfavorable thought patterns that make her think she is stuck in addiction and cannot find remedy continue to drive her drug habit (Magnuson et al., 2024). Through CBT, Judy will confront her misconceptions until she realizes that transformation is possible while her addiction-related thoughts require reorganization. At the initial phase of CBT therapy, when clients start to challenge their self-perception about change, Judy admits to being “tired” of her addiction behaviors. The therapeutic methods of CBT concentrate on teaching people appropriate coping mechanisms that assist them when dealing with stressful situations and triggers in healthy ways. Judy’s ability to discover more effective ways to manage emotional suffering will help decrease her dependence on crack cocaine as an emotional regulation tool.

Social Learning Theory (SLT)

As shown in Social Learning Theory by Albert Bandura, interpersonal learning occurs through observation while individuals imitate and receive positive reinforcement (Magnuson et al., 2024). Individuals are more likely to engage in substance use when members of their immediate social environment encourage these behaviors and see them being positively reinforced. Under social learning theory, social interactions, peer influence, and environmental factors serve as important drivers for behavioral change.

The documentary Poverty in Chicago demonstrates SLT through the relationship between social and economic conditions that influence drug usage. People who live in poor neighborhoods usually encounter drug use, which has become common in everyday interactions (Doc Snipes, 2012). Residents in such environments witness numerous people using substances to manage their stress and mental health disorders, as well as their lack of opportunities. Drug use becomes an established method of coping that receives social reinforcement from the community. Within social networks made up of family members and peers and their surrounding community members, the reinforced behaviors lead people toward substance use practices.

Throughout Judy’s tale in “J” is for Junkie, the reader can observe the impact of social learning on addiction because her substance abuse behaviors were strongly influenced by the individuals she knew. From her perspective, she examines living in a community where drugs dominate as a common practice among her social group. The people in Judy’s circle support her ongoing drug use, which causes her to feel disconnected from individuals who abstain from drugs. The drug use becomes reinforced through social settings, together with the absence of healthy coping methods, which continues to fuel her addiction.

Comparison of CBT and SLT in Understanding Substance Use

Cognitive behavioral therapy and social learning theory deliver significant knowledge about addiction development, although their primary areas of study remain different. The behavioral origins of CBT study mental cognitive operations, whereas SLT investigates the impact of environmental elements on behavior. Therefore, Judy would use CBT by transforming negative thought patterns while developing her belief in her ability to transform (Magnuson et al., 2024). Patients develop better recognition of mental processes that influence emotions and behavior through CBT before receiving effective methods to alter these patterns.

Alternatively, the Social Learning Theory investigates Judy’s environmental factors influencing her behavioral outcomes. Her drug recovery becomes more challenging because her friends are using drugs and she does not receive rewards for making healthy decisions. To help Judy recover, social learning theory shows that addiction requires changing environmental and personal factors in the patient’s recovery process (Magnuson et al., 2024). It is also worth mentioning that both cognitive mental processes and social and environmental forces influence addiction, according to evidence found in “J” for Junkie and Poverty in Chicago. Internal cognitive distortions (CBT) and environmental support for drug use (SLT) jointly explain Judy’s addiction issues.

Conclusion

To understand substance, use disorder, scholars examine complex medical elements through different models. The moral and disease models offer distinct frameworks. Integrating Cognitive Behavioral Theory (CBT) and Social Learning Theory (SLT) enhances assessment. CBT helps individuals address distorted thoughts, while SLT analyzes addictive behaviors in social contexts. Combining these theories provides valuable tools for effective, holistic addiction interventions, addressing both psychological and social factors.

References

Cosden, M., Panteleakos, F., Gutierrez, L., Barazani, S., & Gottheil, E. (2004). Strength-Based Assessment of Adolescents Who Abuse Drugs: Implications for Helping High-Risk Youth. The California School Psychologist, 9(1), 115–126. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf03340912

Dartmouth. (2009, August 6). Practice demonstration video – assessment [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hJ11kJ6f7s

Doc Snipes. (2012, March 10). Motivational interviewing and goal setting. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78DObvkE0R0

Magnuson, K. I., Li, K., Beuley, G., & Ryan-Pettes, S. R. (2024). The Use of Noncommercial Parent-Focused mHealth Interventions for Behavioral Problems in Youth: Systematic Review. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 12, e51273. https://preprints.jmir.org/preprint/51273

Mary Cooley. (2018, February 8). J is for Junkie [Full Length Documentary] [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pz3Bq7BrMsw

US Department of Health and Human Services. (2019). TIP 35: Enhancing motivation for change in substance use disorder treatment (Updated 2019) (Vol. 35). Lulu. com.

SOWK 509: The Intersection of Substance Use, Poverty, and Human Behavior

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