Ecological Theory: Johnny's Substance Abuse

For presenting problems one and two Johnny needs to identify the triggers that started his substance abuse, as well as use these triggers to assist in maintaining sobriety and curbing cravings. Ecological theory was applied to these problems. “Ecology means….study of the living conditions of organisms in interaction with each other and with the surroundings…social work…has expressed purpose in fostering healthy and independent transactions between persons and their environment” (Ungar, 2002, p. 481). This framework has evolved in social work due to social works nature to aid in assisting people in relation to their surroundings. In identifying triggers Johnny’s environment must be taken into account. One must review peer interactions, family
structure and all other aspects of one’s life. According to Shaw, the ecological perspective works in the structures already existing in one’s life (2008). This framework was especially applicable to this case and its presenting problems because it allowed exploration into all structures and it allowed all aspects of Johnny’s life to be considered. A study conducted with adults in services of substance abuse displayed the significance of peer relations for drug and recovery related outcome beliefs, normative beliefs and social identify. It showed that individuals looking to continue using substances bonded, and individuals looking to cease use bonded as well. This experiment concluded that there was a high rate of identify associated with use and recovery. In other words, this means the idea of continued use or stopping use has to become a large part of one’s life and become part of their identity. This identify is highly influenced by peers and life circumstances (Matto, Miller, Spera, 2005). For presenting problem three, the strengths framework was utilized.
It had been identified that Johnny had the inner strength to have positive social interactions. Strengths based social work discusses that “all people have a wide range of talents, abilities, capacities, skills resources, and aspirations. These strengths guide human growth when they are identified, recognized and developed” (Hill, 2008, p. 107). Johnny had the capacity to make friends, he had a group of peers previous to his substance use. Those social skills and peer relational skills needed to be identified once again. In the strengths perspective, “instead of viewing character as fixed and narrowly defined construct, character is seen as multifaceted….and unique to the individual” (Linkins, Neimiec, Gillham, Mayerson, 2015, p. 65) It also states that “rather than prescribing a particular recipe for positive character this approach provides a language for describing (and calling forth) each individual’s character…” (Linkus et al, 2015, p. 65). This framework allowed for working with the client’s relational strengths. For example, Johnny often became aggressive when he had strong cravings but was able to control his aggression around his friends. A strength this shows is good self control and emotional management. It allowed for the creativity needed to empower Johnny to identify and visualize his strengths as well as fine tune and generalize strengths to daily sober
life. For all three presenting problems, social learning theory was utilized.
The founder of social learning theory, Albert Bandura, stated “In the social learning system, new patterns of behavior can be acquired through the direct experience or by observing the behavior of others” (Bandura, 1971, p. 3). In other words, social learning theory states that individuals have the tendency to learn behaviors by interacting with and observing other individuals. Social learning theory originated in the 1970s when Bandura abandoned the psychoanalytic approach and began to emphasize and research cognitive and processing capacities that mediate social behavior (Grusec, 1992). Albert Bandura discussed observational learning with his “Bobo doll experiment” where children observed individuals either acting aggressively or acting passively towards the doll. The individuals then left the child alone with the doll and behavior was observed. The study displayed that children who had observed the aggressive behavior were more aggressive than children who observed peaceful behavior. This can be applied to the case of Johnny by looking into his past peer relations. Johnny commented having very few friends before using substances. Johnny felt the only peers that accepted him were ones that used drugs. It can be hypothesized that the behavior of substance abuse was partially learned from peers in addition to the positive reinforcement of the behavior by having a larger circle of friends. In addition
to peers, Johnny noted that the neighborhood he grew up in had substances readily available. Furthermore, Johnny’s father actively used substances and Johnny’s mother had previously used substances. This theory has evolved in social work due to the encompassing of the holistic perspective, This theory takes intrinsic and extrinsic motivation into account, as well as the idea of interacting with and being molded by one’s environment (Huitt, 2004) Social Learning Theory was chosen due to the identification of triggers. Johnny was able to identify his triggers as people using around him, the need to feel belonging, parental substance abuse and cravings once the substance abuse began. The social aspect of using substances outweighed cognitive motivation such as escape and coping when the substance abuse started. As it progressed it evolved into an escape tactic as well.