Deviant behavior is a set of behavioral patterns that deviate from generally accepted social norms. It can be positive (self-sacrifice) and negative (hooliganism, vandalism), thus determining the type of sanctions for such behavior. Deviant behavior usually contradicts the well-being of others or causes harm. The individual is less able to evaluate his or her actions rationally, has an antisocial role model or phenomenon in the environment, and may not be aware of his or her wrongdoing. Many forms of such behavior also harm the individual: incarceration, fines, and death. Among the common phenomena of deviant behavior is drug addiction.
Drug addiction as a form of deviant behavior is seen as a loss of a person’s former moral and spiritual values, which leads to intellectual degradation and a reduced desire to function as a member of society. It is associated with dependence on psychoactive drugs, which are addictive and do not allow the adequate perception of reality (Malizia, 2018). Addiction is quite a widespread phenomenon, becoming an object of study in culture because social media spreads claims about safe types of drugs (Schlag, 2020). As a result, the behavior is dehumanized, and many young people resort to it without thinking about the consequences.
Within pop culture, it is worth considering the film Requiem for a dream, about the lives of four people experiencing drug addiction. Addiction accompanies all the characters: they use amphetamine and become increasingly addicted. All individuals become less sensitive and more focused on specific personal goals, which they fail repeatedly. The main group that observed the behavior was the community that did not accept drug use (Arafonsky, 2000). At the same time, the participants themselves saw nothing wrong or forbidden, continuing to exacerbate their condition. Society reacted negatively to the behavior: some individuals ended up in a mental health clinic because the persona was a threat; some were sent to jail. In addition, a physician in the community tried to save Harold, one of the addicts. Because of his deviant behavior, he had to have his arm amputated and receive treatment in a hospital. Sarah, Harold’s mother, was sent to a mental institution, where she was forcibly treated, and Tyrone, Harold’s friend, went to prison, where he was regularly bullied (Arafonsky, 2000). The girl Marion is left with a drug addiction in a circle of individuals who take advantage of her unconscious state to satisfy their desires.
The film demonstrates how over a short period (spring and fall), there is severe oppression of all the social and psychological functions of the characters. They see hallucinations, causing them to harm each other; addiction forces them to go on a crime spree of cheating and selling drugs. None of the characters in the film builds friendships; instead, they focus on finding a way to get a dose of the drug (Schlag, 2020). Legitimately, all the characters come to a terrible fate, causing significant harm to them: amputation, unconsciousness, imprisonment. The observer group significantly altered the location of the characters and forced behavioral encouragement (Marion) or treatment/imprisonment. Coercion to encourage deviant behavior is just as antisocial and harmful, and deviance progresses (Malizia, 2018). Treatment and incarceration may be positive effects, but the hero’s future fate is unknown in the film.
Thus, substance abuse is a form of deviant behavior caused by addiction to psychoactive substances. Requiem for a dream demonstrates how the sociality and expression of one’s desires are gradually depressed under the influence of drugs. The characters in the film are not supported by society; they reject this behavior and choose treatment or incarceration tactics. The behavior is encouraged for Marion, and because of her unconsciousness, the girl is used. The film allows us to see how drug addiction rapidly leads to the oppression of all functions and the inability to be members of society.
References
Arafonsky, D. (2000). Requiem for a dream. Thousand Words, Protozoa Pictures.
Malizia, N. (2018). Cannabis use and deviant behavior among university student: An empirical research.International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 8(1), 269-277. Web.
Schlag, A. K. (2020). Percentages of problem drug use and their implications for policy making: A review of the literature.Drug Science, Policy and Law, 6. Web.