Substance Abuse

If you are interested in the effects of smoking, alcohol or drugs on society and how this is integrated into different cultures maybe substance abuse is the way to go! This is a very popular topic and with a bit of guidance you could come up with the perfect topic to shape your dissertation:

Example substance abuse dissertation topic 1:

An analysis of the effect of club music on alcohol and drug consumption: Two case studies.

This dissertation explores the link between electronic dance music, club music presented by a disc jockey, and the consumption of alcohol and drugs at clubs. Factors that may contribute to the consumption of such substances include beat, volume, the juxtaposition of human interaction with the music (through the actions of the disc jockey) and the electronic, non-human sound, a desire to increase the psychedelic effect of the lighting and music combined, peer pressure, sexual motivation, and the social expectations of the setting. The paper examines two case studies: over a period of eight evenings in one month, club-goers at a club in Newcastle and a club in Glasgow voluntarily participate in sharing their perceptions of their motivation for increases (or decreases) in their consumption of drugs and alcohol. Conclusions are then drawn to determine whether such consumption is an inevitable by-product of the club culture.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Chen, M.J., Miller, B.A., Grube, J.W. and Waiters, E.D. (2006). ‘Music, substance use, and aggression’, Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, Vol. 67(3), pp. 373.
• Kavanaugh, P.R. and Anderson, T.L. (2008). ‘Solidarity and drug use in the electronic dance music scene’, The Sociological Quarterly, Vol. 49(1), pp. 181-208.
• Miller, B.A., Furr-Holden, C.D., Voas, R.B. and Bright, K. (2005). ‘Emerging adults’ substance use and risky behaviors in club settings’, Journal of Drug Issues, Vol. 35(2), pp. 357-378.