The way that a substance abuse treatment program will deal with substance abuse will usually depend on which of the models of addiction they subscribe to. Many attempts have been made throughout history to provide a reason as to why some people abuse alcohol or drugs to such an extent that they harm themselves and others. The behavior of the addict can really baffle those around them and the addict themselves will often be at a loss to explain their destructive behavior.
Models of Addiction
There has been more than one reason given as to why people abuse alcohol or drugs and this has led to the development of different theories. Here are some of the most common explanations:
- The disease model of addiction became the leading favored way of looking at addiction for most of the 20th century and still holds a lot of sway. This is the theory of addiction that has been adopted by 12-step groups like Alcoholics Anonymous. In this model the addiction is viewed as illness and the addict as somebody who is the victim of this disease. This theory holds that the addiction can never be cured but the person can have a lifelong remission if they take certain steps.
- The genetic model of addiction views it as something that people inherit; addiction itself is not something that is inherited but the predisposition for developing the problem is. There is a lot of evidence to support a genetic component of addiction but few would now argue that it is a complete cause in itself. A valid argument is that the fact that addiction seems to run in families may be due to nurture as well as nature.
- The moral model of addiction holds that those who fall into addiction do so out of choice. This theory is not supported by the experts in the medical and scientific community but it is still held by many individuals and groups. Proponents of this view would see addiction as arising because the addict is morally weak.
- The cultural model of addiction argues that addiction arises due to the environment in which an individual grows up in. This is more or less the opposite argument of the genetic model and as such it has the same flaws.
As well as the above there are also many other theories of addiction which are held by individuals and groups.
Conclusion in Regards to the Models of Addiction
The models of addiction are useful because they allow people to explore the subject within a recognizable framework. The current opinion within addiction treatment seems to favor the idea that there is a combination of causes and there have been attempts to produce a blended theory combining cultural and genetic causes.
Sources:
Antidrug Health Website – Models of Addiction (accessed May 17th)
Addiction and Recovery Website – The Genetics of Addiction (accessed May 17th)
Paul Garrigan - I'm a full-time freelance writer. I originally come from Ireland, but spent my twenties in England and now live in Thailand; As well as ...
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