engleski

Addictions - a homeostatic game between the individual and society

Despite centuries of knowledge of the effects of various psychoactive agents, traditional as well as contemporary societies have not reached a consensus on the usefulness, or prohibition, of the agent. The paradox is that potentially the most harmful psychoactive substances, as measured by comprehensive social harm (alcohol and nicotine), are declared marketable goods, desirable for filling the budget, and that the substances with the least harm (THC, amphetamines, opiates) are subject to the strictest prohibitions, raises the suspicion that society and institution are in fact protects the ritual of taking the means while it is in the function of maintaining the established custom and order, and condemns it when in intensity and consequence it threatens the structure. Considering this fact leads to the conclusion that the attitude of the society (structure) towards the use of the psychoactive agent does not depend so much on the action of the agent itself but on the utility of the agent itself for the social structure. The attitude of society towards a psychoactive agent is arbitrary, changeable and hypocritical. Clear professional attitudes, an understanding of objective scientific and professional facts, social open conversation about drugs while avoiding stigmatization is the way to overcome this paradox. However, experience teaches us that neither structure (society) nor the individual are ready for it.

addiction diseases ; game ; individual ; society

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