Substance Use as a Social Determinant and Fundamental Cause into the Carceral System

• In Event: 41021 - Student Forum Refereed Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): Roundtable 4: Substance Use Disorder and Anxiety

Abstract

This paper examines the role of social determinants and biological factors that contribute to substance use (Coyne and Eck 2015; Smirnova 2023). By using a sociological lens, it is important to understand how social determinants and lack of social systems of care have contributed to substance use in lower SES communities. This paper examines previous sociological literature and acknowledges the failure of sociological theory to adequately address substance use, incarceration, and recidivism. This paper acknowledges that substance use becomes a fundamental pathway that leads into incarceration, which therefore, creates further health disparities. Due to the low socio-economic status of individuals who engage in substance use may not have adequate resources, social relationships, or comprehensive health knowledge to abstain and avoid substance (Coyne and Eck 2015; Nicholson 2020). The risky behaviors that are associated with substance use can result in incarceration or involvement with the criminal justice system; this can further burden marginalized groups (Smirnova 2023; Gowan and Whetstone 2012). Despite the benefits of providing substance users with the ability to abstain from substance and receive medicated assisted treatment while involved with the legal system. Formerly incarcerated individuals can experience increased levels of surveillance and stigma regarding their decision to engage in substances and crime (Smirnova 2023). Because of this stigma, it is important that service providers dispel and remove the negative label of being an “ex-felon” or “addict” to ensure that there is a continuance of care of recently released individuals with SUDs (Bonta et al. 2008; Evans, Wilson, and Friedmann 2022; SAMHSA 2024; Smirnova 2023). By providing proper levels of care and building relationships with SUD clients, we can provide society with additional savings regarding incarceration and policing (Zarkin et al. 2012).

Author

• Ashley Bursie, Syracuse University