The Social Determinants of Substance abuse: The Social and Economic Causes of Substance Abuse Disorders and Implications for International Human Rights

Abstract

The social determinants of health – including socio-economic status (employment, income and education), social exclusion, crime and hopelessness – are increasingly being recognized as primary indicators of global health inequality. This paper applies the social determinants framework to the growing public health epidemic of substance abuse to determine how these social forces can influence an individual’s likelihood of developing a substance abuse disorder and how the disorder impacts their capability to live a dignified life. By demonstrating that these social determinants are most often experienced by marginalized populations such as visible minorities, and that the social harms of substance abuse are disproportionately experienced by women, this paper will present a human rights argument in support of global adoption of comprehensive social and health policies that will more effectively address the social determinants of this serious public health issue.