116 pages, $20.95 list
1-57766-558-9
978-1-57766-558-8
© 2012
paperback
eBook availability
Anthropology of Addictions and Recovery
It is nearly impossible to discuss alcohol, tobacco, and drugs without applying our own cultural prism. In a concise, non-technical manner, Glasser combines her own research with that of others to show the importance of removing cultural biases to uncover crucial understandings about substance use and misuse. Ethnographic examples elucidate the diverse meanings of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs around the world as well as the psychological and physiological effects of their use. Glasser applies anthropological research methods in her examination of treatment and recovery and uncovers why some programs are more effective than others. The book’s focus on culture and how it affects people’s relationships to mind-altering substances, together with hands-on activities at the end of each chapter, will generate new realizations and open doors for further exploration.
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“This brief, discriminating survey—the first of its kind—shows how anthropologists, in collaboration with those in other fields, study addiction as an illness rather than simply a disease.” —Lee Hoffer, Case Western Reserve University
1. An Introduction to the Anthropology of Addictions and Recovery
A Note on the Word "Addiction" / Ethnography and the Study of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs / Physiological Effects of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs / Legal Status of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs / The Diagnostic Classification Systems and Access to Treatment / Conclusion
2. The Many Faces of Alcohol Use
Cross-Cultural Examples of Drinking / The Introduction of Alcohol into a Community / Alcohol Use and Culture Change / Drinking Patterns / Costs of Alcohol Abuse / Alcohol and Homelessness / College Drinking / Culture and Drinking / Conclusion
3. Tobacco and Its Global Reach
Indigenous Uses / Diffusion of Tobacco and Smoking / Health Consequences / Cigarettes as Currency / Beliefs about Smoking / Camaraderie and Smoking / Smoking and Women / Smoking and Adolescents / Cigarette Marketing Strategies / Unintended Consequences of Smoking Bans / Conclusion
4. Drug Use and Drug Prohibitions
Indigenous Uses of Mind-Altering Drugs: The Case of Hallucinogenic Mushrooms, Peyote, Coca Leaves, and Ayahuasca / Drug Laws as Cultural Artifacts: The Case of Morphine, Heroin, Khat, and Marijuana / Effect of Law Enforcement and Incarceration / Anthropological Research on Club Drugs and Prescription Drugs / Drug Use Initiation and Continued Participation: The Case of Cocaine / Ethnography of Suffering: The Case of Heroin and Injection Drug Use / Ethnographic Research in Response to the HIV/AIDS Epidemic / Ethnographic Methods to Monitor New Drugs: The Case of Illy / Conclusion
5. Recovery in Cross-Cultural Perspective
The Language of Recovery / Current Models of Recovery/Treatment / Demonstrating Efficacy in Healing / Alcoholics Anonymous: A Culturally Malleable Recovery Model / When Does a Treatment Not Diffuse? / Utilizing Indigenous Culture in Recovery / Increasing the Cultural Congruence of Treatments and Prevention / Changing the Context of Recovery / Ethnographic Methods in Drug Treatment Outcome Studies / Conclusion
6. Concluding Thoughts
A Note on the Word "Addiction" / Ethnography and the Study of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs / Physiological Effects of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs / Legal Status of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs / The Diagnostic Classification Systems and Access to Treatment / Conclusion
2. The Many Faces of Alcohol Use
Cross-Cultural Examples of Drinking / The Introduction of Alcohol into a Community / Alcohol Use and Culture Change / Drinking Patterns / Costs of Alcohol Abuse / Alcohol and Homelessness / College Drinking / Culture and Drinking / Conclusion
3. Tobacco and Its Global Reach
Indigenous Uses / Diffusion of Tobacco and Smoking / Health Consequences / Cigarettes as Currency / Beliefs about Smoking / Camaraderie and Smoking / Smoking and Women / Smoking and Adolescents / Cigarette Marketing Strategies / Unintended Consequences of Smoking Bans / Conclusion
4. Drug Use and Drug Prohibitions
Indigenous Uses of Mind-Altering Drugs: The Case of Hallucinogenic Mushrooms, Peyote, Coca Leaves, and Ayahuasca / Drug Laws as Cultural Artifacts: The Case of Morphine, Heroin, Khat, and Marijuana / Effect of Law Enforcement and Incarceration / Anthropological Research on Club Drugs and Prescription Drugs / Drug Use Initiation and Continued Participation: The Case of Cocaine / Ethnography of Suffering: The Case of Heroin and Injection Drug Use / Ethnographic Research in Response to the HIV/AIDS Epidemic / Ethnographic Methods to Monitor New Drugs: The Case of Illy / Conclusion
5. Recovery in Cross-Cultural Perspective
The Language of Recovery / Current Models of Recovery/Treatment / Demonstrating Efficacy in Healing / Alcoholics Anonymous: A Culturally Malleable Recovery Model / When Does a Treatment Not Diffuse? / Utilizing Indigenous Culture in Recovery / Increasing the Cultural Congruence of Treatments and Prevention / Changing the Context of Recovery / Ethnographic Methods in Drug Treatment Outcome Studies / Conclusion
6. Concluding Thoughts