Addiction Models

To begin, I would like to discuss the benefits of the disease model for addiction. To be fair, this model resonates with me the most. As stated in the Historical Perspectives on Addiction, “By changing the way we talk about addiction, we change the way people think about addiction, both of which are critical steps in getting past the social stigma too often associated with this disease” (Freed, 2012, p.27). I feel that this quote sums up the most significant benefit of the disease model. Not only does it remove stigma, but by removing this stigma you could potentially have more individuals seeking treatment. In addition to this, by removing stigma you move it from an individual’s problem into a public health issue. Therefore, if addiction is a public health issue you would see more services/support systems available. A second benefit of the disease model is that there is evidence that supports the theory (Hall,2017).

The three models of addiction examined in this week’s readings include the medical model, the psychosocial model, and the disease of the human spirit model. The medical model “rests on the assumption that disease states are the result of a biological dysfunction, possibly one on the cellular or even molecular level” (Doweiko, 2012, p. 333). Many consider this model and “maintain that much of human behavior is based on the interaction between the individual’s biological predisposition and the environment” (Doweiko, 2012, p. 333). Individuals under this model view free will “as an illusion” (Doweiko, 2012, p. 333). There is controversy regarding this model as “to the degree to which the

Addiction can be separated into three categories: mind (neurological), body (physical), and spirit (psychological). Within in this breakdown addiction can possibly be explained and properly understood.

The moral model of addiction developed when religion and the clergymen within were held in great respect. They were considered to be highly knowledgeable on issues of human behaviour thus; they held great influence over society and offered a moral guide on the behaviour of people. The moral model of addiction is based on the assumption that substance misuse is the outcome of moral weakness and bad character (Wilbanks, 1989, p.408). According to Wilbanks (1989), the moral model views addiction as a choice made by those with low moral standards and addicts are characterised as inherently

In the book, Addiction & Grace: Love and Spirituality in the Healing of Addictions, May explores how addiction develops and can be treated from a psychological, physiological, and spiritual standpoint. This theme is clearly shown through out the text as it shows addiction from a whole person view. The book covers the development of addiction from desire through the experience of addiction. The key focus on looking at the matter of addiction from multiple stand points in then broken down by explaining how addiction is an issue psychologically, physiologically, and spiritually. By focusing on these three areas the author is able to present the reader with a clear understanding of addiction from all sides of the problem. This is then

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) describes addiction as a, “chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences” (“Understanding Drug Use and Addiction,” 2016). Long-term use can effect and change a person’s ability to learn, judge, and make decisions. Stress, memory issues, and behavior problems are also common side effects of extended drug use. There is not one single factor that can determine if a person will become addicted drugs. However, certain risk factors have been identified as predicting higher probabilities of addiction because of a person’s biology, environment, and development. Adolescents who abuse

Many sociological studies fail to provide an accurate picture of substance abuse in a society for a number of reasons. In treatment or survey interviews, substance abusing individuals frequently misrepresent or misreport their frequency of use. Those living in poverty are often more transient in their housing than those of middle and upper classes and may, therefore, be excluded from many types of household surveys. Often, statistical information is gathered from treatment facilities; however facilities do not all report into a national database and a large number of addicts never seek services. One final problem with the validity of studies involving substance abuse and poverty is the isolation, in many studies, of one or more drugs. Many researchers have focused on drugs, such as crack-cocaine or heroin and not marijuana or powder cocaine (Jacobson and Ensminger, 2011). While it is difficult to obtain valid data on the actual rate and incidence of substance abuse in poverty ridden communities, researchers have been able to isolate some negative effects of substance abuse and correlate them to socio-economic status.

This learner believes that behavior and addiction should be accepted as the same as addiction to substances. Working in a substance abuse recovery program has allowed this learner to understand addiction as a behavior. Many individuals have a substance abuse addiction and issues because of their behavior. They have made a choice to use substances and their behavior has taken over their life. Overall, this learner believes that all addictions are just as important as a substance abuse addiction. In fact, it should not be considered the same type of illness despite of it being a food, sex, or even gambling addiction. However, the addictions have to be treated differently based on the type and the individuals. According Smith (2012), “Developing brain science brain science has set the

Drug and Alcohol Treatment in America has been based on the Medical Model of Treatment. According to Wikipedia, the medical model of addiction is rooted in the philosophy that addiction is a disease and has biological, neurological, genetic, and environmental sources of origin. Treatment includes potential detox with a 28 day or more stay at a residential treatment facility. The continuum of care can include an additional 28 days at the partial hospitalization level, followed by another 6 weeks of Intensive Outpatient.

The moral model of addiction makes addiction out to be a character flaw or weakness. The moral model says that people have the will power to not use and or abuse drugs. It also implies that bad decision making leads to becoming addicted. The moral model doesn’t take into account addictive behaviors or co-occurring disorders such as autism, ADHD, PTSD, bipolar, or depression. One study, found that 93% of people with narcotic addiction also had a mental disorder, such as depression (as cited in Freed, C. R. 2012). Research has discovered a strong correlation between alcoholism and antisocial personality disorder (as cited in Freed, C. R. 2012). For some people the moral model can be empowering and for others can be disheartening. It is possible

Most researchers believe that addictions are caused by a number of risk factors, working together to create the addiction that consume and destroy people lives. Most people become addicted with prescription drugs they are taking; however, there are cases where individuals have used recreational and prescription drugs without becoming addicts. Once an individual starts using drugs, he/she becomes physically and emotionally dependent on them. Drug abuse can cause great amount of pain and suffering depending on each individual and the extent of his or her addiction. The extent of a person 's vulnerability to their addiction depends on their social environment, mental stability, physical health, and their genes. According to Kellogg "Our drug problem is a major problem, which in all likelihood, stems from poverty, loneliness, shame, dishonesty, rage, family violence, power and greed. It is a spiritual bankruptcy that eats away at a culture and destroys the core of meaningfulness in people 's lives" (Kellogg, 1990, p. xvii).

Daniell, thank you for your insightful discussion. Your interruption on the different models of addiction is very much accurate. It is all a matter of personal preference and belief. As you mentioned, it reminded me that I found the video of the Neurotransmitters (2016) to be very interesting and informative. It was interesting to see the function of the neurotransmitters being destroyed which did not allow for them to split from the terminal burton towards the postsynaptic receptors (Capella, 2016).  Overtime the brain damage can be permanent.

Addiction is all around us. It may be that cup of coffee in the morning for the caffeine stimulation, the cigarette that is smoked for the nicotine, or an alcoholic drink used to relieve a stressful day or situation. For some, the addiction may not be to a substance, but to compulsive behaviors such as gambling, playing video games, or shopping. Consequences to addictions can impact an addict’s physical or mental state. Addiction can also have detrimental impact on the people that surround them. Watching a relationship fall apart because a person has an addiction to drugs, alcohol, or another addictive behavior is a sad thing to happen to anyone. Unfortunately, those with addictions usually won’t admit they even

Spiritual would be a religious influence. All five of these factors are important in order to understand an addiction.

Drug abuse exists throughout multiple levels of society. It goes through families, places we live, and the world of technology. Demographics such as race, age, social class, location are all important factors of how drug abuse come into counter. A person who is addicted can only accept their addiction through guilt and settlement. The social control theory states that the deviant behavior, drug abuse is caused by the lack of being in control socially. We chose this category of behavior because is it becoming more of a norm in some cases which is exploited in many ways such as social media, music, politics, and the criminal justice system