Sociological imagination is meant to help people understand human behaviour in the right context. In this case, it is aimed at training people not to apportion blame to them when they do not deserve to. By assessing the society and focusing on specific issues, one gets to understand why the issues are occurring.
The intent of the paper is to assess the impact of drug addiction and alcoholism in the society. By so doing, it is possible to change behaviour starting from ourselves and direct energy on solving issues that are noteworthy.
An individual often reflects the image of the society. Sometimes, it is not enough to assume an individual is independent of the environment (Kornblum, 2011). In that case, the case of alcoholism and drug addiction can be looked from the societal perspective to reflect the state of the society in what Mills referred to as sociological imagination. The essence of this is to understand individuals from a holistic perception.
Drug abuse and alcoholism can be looked as a response to stress in the society. People could be using these substances to numb their feelings and escape from the reality that glares on them.
This is often as a result of economic meltdown where people cannot fend for themselves adequately. The society is afraid to face the harsh reality, forcing them to use mind altering agents such as drugs and alcohol. They are issues that are concerned about emotional status of the society.
The same issue can be interpreted to imply a society that lacks moral, especially when people of young ages are absorbed into these addictive habits. It means lack of proper guidance of people on importance of good values in the society and why they should be adopted.
Since these drugs needs money, it also means the people are not disturbed by money issues but discipline to keep at worthy courses. Desperate need to money can also lead to extreme acts such as theft and might push the person towards criminal acts.
Most of them that lack proper guidance are lured to follow spoilt brats that have themselves decayed morals. Indeed, Zastrow and Ashman (2010) noted that such behaviours are indicators of youths that are abandoned by their guardians, who out of lack of direction or appreciation resort to means that will ease their pain and bitterness.
These issues further indicate a failing society if its people cannot learn and be productive to the society.
The last sociological imagination of the aspects is weaknesses of the government to check the sources of illegal business practices such as drug peddling that is known to very lucrative. The government’s overlooking of such issues and weak laws to punish the wrong-doers further encourages increase in drug peddling.
Corrupt governments from the medium term sociological perspective implies a weak regime that has porous security measures. Hence, such issues that are accompanied by crimes reflect an insecure society as addicts struggle for means to but alcohol and drugs (Landry, 2004).
References
Kornblum, W (2011) Sociology in a Changing World, New York: Cengage Learning
Landry, (2004) Understanding Drugs of Abuse: The Processes of Addiction, Treatment, And New York: American Psychiatric Pub,
Zastrow, C & Ashman, K K (2010), Understanding Human Behavior and the Social Environment, New York: Cengage Learning
