# 11 - Social factors in addictions

# Social factors in addictions

© SPMM Course 
Caribbean men were 29% more likely to have been subject to control and restraint. It is 
speculated that an association with the use of substances may be a confounder. 
Schizophrenia and ethnicity: Aetiology & Ethnicity in Schizophrenia and other Psychoses 
(AESOP) study was conducted in London, Bristol and Nottingham. It reported 2-fold higher 
rate of incidence of psychosis in London compared to the other 2 centres. Afro-Caribbeans 
had a 9-fold increase in rates of psychosis. In addition, minority ethnic groups had a far 
higher likelihood to be detained on first presentation, accessing health often via police than 
GPs. 
Social factors in addictions 
Patterns of substance use across the world are strongly influenced by the sociocultural milieu 
of human communities. Several social factors shape the population prevalence of substance 
use behavior. Contextual factors such as neighborhood deprivation appear to be strong 
determinants of cigarette and alcohol use. Family and social network norms and social 
support are also important in the cessation of drug use. Factors that are consistently 
identified in association with substance use and alcohol are listed below (Galea et al., 2004) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Smoking 
Smoking 
•Low school achievement 
•Young among peer cohort 
•Poorer relationships with 
their family 
•Low household income 
Alcohol use 
Alcohol use 
•Disruption of family 
structure 
•Social networks that use 
alcohol 
•Recent immigration 
•Small-area deprivation 
Illicit substances 
Illicit substances 
•Peer drug use 
•Single parenting 
•Homelessness 
•Poor educational 
attainment 
•Neighborhood 
disadvantage 
•Unemployment