Substance misuse

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511543609.020

18 - Substance misuse

from Part III - Culture and mental disorders

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 August 2009

Shamil Wanigaratne ,

Susan Salas and

John Strang

Edited by

Dinesh Bhugra and

Kamaldeep Bhui

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Shamil Wanigaratne: Affiliation:
National Addiction Centre Institute of Psychiatry Kings College London 4 Windsor Walk London SE5 8AF UK
Susan Salas: Affiliation:
Mental Health Strategies Emerson House Albert Street Eccles Manchester M30 0BG UK
John Strang: Affiliation:
National Addiction Centre Institute of Psychiatry Kings College London 4 Windsor Walk London SE5 8AF UK
Dinesh Bhugra: Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London
Kamaldeep Bhui: Affiliation:
Barts & The London, Queen Mary School of Medicine and Dentistry

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Summary

EDITORS' INTRODUCTION

Addictions of different types have been around for a long time in the history of mankind. The use of mind altering substances is well known and well described in scriptures across many faiths. Human beings use these substances to make themselves feel happier, ‘drown their sorrows’ and for a variety of reasons. The use of alcohol and other substances of addiction varies dramatically across cultures and is dictated by cultural norms and societal expectations as well as availability. The global prevalence of associated disorders and patterns of use and abuse indicates the nature of influence that cultures have.

In this chapter, Wanigaratne et al. highlight that an understanding of the continuum of the use and abuse of substances is fundamental to developing interventions which will be culturally acceptable. They argue that co-morbidity in psychiatric disorders with substance misuse is worth examining from a cultural perspective. Within migrant groups, patterns of use of specific substances such as khat may mirror those from the country of origin. The legal and illegal nature of certain substances adds another dimension to management as well diagnosis. Using khat as an example, the authors point out the relationship between socialisation and khat use in different nations. The possibility of medicalising some of the problems must be kept in mind. The use of interventions also has to be cultural sensitive and culturally appropriate.

Ah, my Belove'd, fill the Cup that clears

To-DAY of past Regrets and future Fears:

To-morrow! – Why, To-morrow I may be

Myself with Yesterday's Sev'n thousand Years.

Type: Chapter
Information: Textbook of Cultural Psychiatry , pp. 242 - 254

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511543609.020 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2007

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