7 Insightful Links Between Addiction and Socioeconomic Status

Introduction

Addiction is a complex issue that affects individuals from extremes of socioeconomic classes but because of the higher burden of negative outcomes on people from the lower socioeconomic class, literatures tend to discuss drug abuse and addiction as being an exclusively poverty associated problem thereby surreptitiously creating stigma for vulnerable populations affected by the problems of addiction.

This is called literature bias and there is need for scientific publishers to address this bias. In a better nuanced perspective, it goes without saying that poverty is a potentiator of addiction, and that is can also be resultant from from substance abuse.

Observably, people with higher socioeconomic standing are less impulsive about seeking drugs because of the assurance that they have easy access and the resources to afford it when they need it. However, if the same people in the higher socioeconomic status start to encounter dwindling finances (due to an eventual uncontrollable use), then they start to be more impulsive and risky.

Conversely, people in the lower socioeconomic classes start out being impulsive, and this impulsivity is further potentiated by the drug use. This set of drug users are also already caught up in social settings where there is a high level of undiagnosed and consequently untreated sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS, and so they are more prone to contact these diseases in their moments of impulsivity and risky behaviors compared to their richer counterparts.

The dance between substance abuse and poverty are intricately interwoven, and so there is no way to talk about the subject of addiction without including the role of socioeconomic statutes. However, a biased perspective in favor of people in higher socioeconomic classes has a multi-directional impact on all persons living with addiction and here are these often overlooked problems:

1. Stigma: Addressing addiction as an isolated problem of people who are economically impoverished undoubtedly creates a stigma for the all parties involved. Even if it is a calculated sociopolitical effort, it harms both the poor and the understated rich people in different ways.
2. High-functioning addiction: Because people in higher socioeconomic classes are portrayed as being above such problems as addiction, they tend to become high-functioning addicts, and their problems of addiction are only discovered at near-dying or dying moments.
3. Suicidality: Because of the additional negative sentiments that people tend to hold towards people living with addiction who also happen to be of low socioeconomic standing, there is a high risk of suicidality due to shame and guilt in people of both ends of socioeconomic standing, especially when the substance of abuse is such that leads to a disinhibition.

This is not to discount the fact that there is some truth in literatures that favor poverty as a driving force for addiction. In fact, there is an enormous body of evidence that supports the claims that being of lower socioeconomic status greatly predisposes to impulsive drug use and risky behaviors. This article aims to explore the relationship between addiction and socioeconomic status, highlighting the underlying factors and providing relevant citations to support the discussion.

ARGUMENTS
1. Socioeconomic Disparities and Substance Abuse:
Multiple studies have found a strong correlation between lower socioeconomic status and higher rates of substance abuse. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) conducted by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) reveals that individuals with lower incomes are more likely to engage in substance abuse compared to those with higher incomes.

2. Access to Treatment:
Socioeconomic status impacts access to addiction treatment. Individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds often face barriers such as limited financial resources, lack of health insurance, or inadequate access to quality healthcare facilities. This disparity in access to treatment can contribute to the perpetuation of addiction among disadvantaged populations.

3. Stress and Coping Mechanisms:
Socioeconomic disparities can create chronic stressors for individuals, including financial strain, unemployment, and limited educational opportunities. These stressors can increase the risk of developing addiction as individuals may turn to substances as a coping mechanism. A study by Lizardi and colleagues (2018) found that individuals experiencing economic hardship were more likely to engage in substance abuse as a way to manage stress.

4. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs):
Socioeconomic status can influence the occurrence of adverse childhood experiences such as neglect, abuse, or household dysfunction. These experiences have been linked to an increased risk of addiction later in life. A study by Anda et al. (2006) demonstrated a dose-response relationship between the number of ACEs and the likelihood of substance abuse.

5. Social Determinants of Health:
Socioeconomic status is one of the social determinants of health, which includes factors such as education, employment, and social support. These determinants significantly influence an individual’s overall well-being and can contribute to the development of addiction. Research has shown that individuals with lower socioeconomic status often face multiple social determinants that increase their vulnerability to addiction.

6. Environmental Factors:
Socioeconomic status can influence an individual’s environment, including the neighborhood they live in and the availability of substances. Lower-income neighborhoods are more likely to have higher rates of substance abuse, limited access to healthcare, and higher crime rates. These environmental factors can contribute to the development and perpetuation of addiction.

7. Policy Implications:
Understanding the connection between addiction and socioeconomic status is crucial for developing effective policies and interventions. It is essential to address the underlying social determinants that contribute to addiction, such as poverty, education, and access to healthcare. Investing in prevention programs, improving access to treatment, and reducing socioeconomic disparities can help mitigate the impact of addiction on disadvantaged populations.

Conclusion

The connection between addiction and socioeconomic status is complex and multifaceted. Lower socioeconomic status is supposedly associated with higher rates of substance abuse, limited access to treatment, and increased exposure to risk factors. Understanding and addressing these underlying factors are essential for developing comprehensive strategies to prevent and treat addiction among individuals from different socioeconomic backgrounds. By addressing socioeconomic disparities, improving access to treatment, and providing support systems, we can reduce the impact of addiction on vulnerable populations.

Here is the link to past articles in this series. It allows our readers to find everything in one place. Hang around as we continue to explore more on the subject of addiction, and share this article to broaden awareness on the dangers of addiction.

References

1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2018). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
2. Lizardi, D., Thompson, R. G., Keyes, K. M., & Hasin, D. S. (2018). Economic hardship and substance use disorders: A review of longitudinal findings and theoretical directions. Current Opinion in Psychology, 27, 48-53.
3. Anda, R. F., Whitfield, C. L., Felitti, V. J., Chapman, D., Edwards, V. J., Dube, S. R., & Williamson, D. F. (2002). Adverse childhood experiences, alcoholic parents, and later risk of alcoholism and depression. Psychiatric Services, 53(8), 1001-1009.