Agnew's General Strain Theory and the Impact of Exercise on Opioid Abuse and Addiction

• In Event: Poster Session II

Abstract

Opioid abuse and addiction is a problem both domestically and internationally that affects the health and welfare of all societies. The diversity of this epidemic has led to a variety of theories being used to explain the path to addiction. This paper proposes that Robert Agnew’s General Strain Theory (GST) be used to better understand what leads to substance abuse. Literature on GST and works from the psychiatric field are reviewed and found to show support for GST as a way of explaining what causes drug abuse and addiction. This paper suggests exercise as a preventative measure and treatment option for opioid abuse and addiction. Research has provided a large amount of support for the negative correlation between exercise and individual stress levels. Physiologically, exercise activates the same reward pathway in the brain as opioids and these similarities may make exercise beneficial at reducing vulnerability to drug use and treating opioid abusing populations. This paper includes an original exercise program designed for the affected population. Due to the severity of this epidemic, it is the recommendation of this work that more attention be given to the potential role exercise plays in the prevention and treatment of opioid abuse and addiction.

Author

• Christopher Jodis, Saint Vincent College