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Culture and substance abuse.
1Department of Anthropology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
The Psychiatric Clinics of North America
|October 12, 2001
Summary
Historically, drug administration involved inhalation, snuffing, and enemas, contrasting with modern oral or smoked methods. Despite rapid absorption, enemas are rarely reported, highlighting diverse historical drug-use practices.
Area of Science:
- Anthropology
- Pharmacology
- Sociology
Background:
- Inhaling drugs is often perceived as modern, but historical practices include snuffing and enemas.
- Pre-Columbian cultures in Central and South America utilized enemas for drug administration.
- Modern drug use is often described by verbs like drink, smoke, and eat.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore historical and diverse methods of drug administration.
- To examine the underutilization of enemas despite rapid absorption.
- To contextualize modern drug use within historical practices.
Main Methods:
- Review of historical accounts and anthropological evidence.
- Analysis of drug absorption rates via different administration routes.
- Sociological examination of drug use terminology and disparities.
Main Results:
- Inhalation, snuffing, and enemas are long-standing drug administration methods.
- Enemas offer rapid drug absorption but are infrequently reported in modern contexts.
- Drug use terminology varies, and drug policies disproportionately affect minority populations.
Conclusions:
- Historical drug administration methods were diverse and varied culturally.
- The underreporting of enema use warrants further investigation.
- Drug use and its consequences are shaped by social and historical factors, impacting justice and equity.