This week, the idea of addiction was examined. Originally, the word addiction did not have a negative connotation as it was typically affiliated with doing something regularly or predictably. It was not until the 19th and 20th centuries that the word became affiliated with drugs and alcohol. Much of this is attributed to the drug culture that began to sweep across the nation and the images that came with it. Many people today can say that they were once an addict, or they have known an addict or two in their lifetime.
In the readings by Bruce Alexander, he points out that addiction, in every sense of the word, is a product of our social environment and connections with other individuals, or lack thereof. Humans have a great desire to be connected with others; therefore, when they find themselves in isolation or disconnected from the world it tends to drive individuals into an addiction that alters one’s mental state. This can be attributed to the idea that dislocated individuals become demoralized, degraded and depressed – sentiments that can often lead to addiction.
Alexander argues that his Dislocation Theory trumps the Official View which simply focuses on the individual and states that addiction is a genetic disease pertaining to a chemical dependency on drugs and alcohol. The Dislocation theory, on the other hand , encompasses the full range of destructive addictions and focuses on societal causes, not solely on drugs and alcohol. When examining the issue of addiction it is important to address all potential factors that can lead to becoming an addict. Alexander states that modernity and free-market capitalism destabilize people’s personal and social lives as well as the economy; an issue that is illustrated throughout Season 4 of The Wire. Much like they do on The Wire, addiction must be analyzed through “soft eyes” in order to recognize the entire problem.
The Official View argues that the fundamental causation of addiction lies within drugs and alcohol, implying that a chemical presence is necessary for addiction. However, Sherry Turkle and Neil Postman have proven that this issue of addiction extends to technology as well. In today’s society individuals fulfill their desire of being connected through the use of social media; it has become the new form of addiction that is prevalent in many lives. This newfound addiction allows many to feel connected to society, but in actuality, may be doing more harm than good. This form of interaction, unbeknownst to the users, encourages them to forgo actual human connection, making the sense of loneliness a greater threat than ever before. A societal change must occur in order to cure addiction in all forms.
Communication & American Blogging 