Abstract
Background: Neuroscientific approaches to addiction as a brain disease often locate addiction within the individual's body or brain and describe it as a disordered or diseased state. However, such explanations ignore the importance of social contexts for addiction problems and how consumption patterns change over time and consider addiction as a process that is often independent of the environment for individuals who use substances. However, the impact of the environment is significant in the development and treatment of substance use disorders, which should be handled with a biopsychosocial model. Many studies prove that substance use behaviours change with changes in the environment. In addition, the fact that some people who use substances commit crimes and violate the law constitutes an important social aspect of substance addiction. While there may be many factors that lead individuals to commit crimes, drugs may be among the reasons that lead individuals to commit crimes by causing changes in their thoughts and behaviors.
Case Presentation: In this report, we present the story of a patient with methamphetamine use disorder who was placed on probation for theft offence during the period when he was using this substance. Although the patient was hospitalized and received treatment several times, he relapsed when he returned to his living environment. However, he entered the remission process after moving to a regular and developed area where he could receive family support. However, he was sentenced to prison for his previous offence during this period.
Conclusions: This is an essential example of the critical effect of the living environment on substance use behaviours, which was achieved through remission after moving from the socially disadvantaged area where the patient was living. Although it is sad for the patient's family and himself that his story ended in prison, the changes in his life during his stay with his sister and the fact that he did not continue substance use are promising for his treatment. In conclusion, it is essential to consider environmental factors and integrate these factors into treatment strategies for effective treatment in the fight against methamphetamine addiction.