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Models of Addiction: Key Theories Behind Addictive Behaviors

Research has identified several genes that may influence an individual’s risk of developing substance use disorders, including those involved in reward processing and impulse control. However, it’s crucial to note that having these genetic variants doesn’t guarantee addiction; rather, it increases the likelihood when combined with environmental factors. Again, the observed relationships between resilience and internet addictive behaviors (IA) are shaped significantly by the cultural contexts of Ghana and Saudi Arabia.

These basic learning theories are taken a step further with an understanding of social learning theory. A person does not necessarily have to experience the rewards and punishments themselves; learning also happens by watching others engage in the behavior and seeing what happens to them. While social and environmental models offer valuable insights into the contextual factors surrounding addiction, they too have their limitations. Critics argue that these models may sometimes downplay individual responsibility or overlook biological factors that contribute to addiction. Additionally, interventions based solely on these models can be complex and time-consuming to implement, particularly when addressing broad societal issues. Environmental cues and social influences also play a significant role in shaping addictive behaviors.

  • Mexico, because of its border with the United States, has the highest incidence of use.
  • It’s a reminder that treating addiction isn’t just about addressing physical dependence, but also about healing the mind and repairing social connections.
  • Eventually, most individuals with an addiction reach a more mature and realistic psychological state, in which defenses may be more stable and the individual less threatened by the internal and external worlds (see depressive position in Klein, 1946).
  • By drawing on multiple theoretical perspectives, clinicians can tailor interventions to address the specific needs and circumstances of each individual.
  • This narrative aims to provide a comprehensive overview of these aspects, addressing various psychological theories, dependence dynamics, and the intertwined nature of psychological and physical factors.

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In Ghana, resilience-building practices often draw heavily from communal and peer networks, reflecting the collectivist orientation of Ghanaian society. This cultural backdrop emphasizes community-based support, which can either mitigate or exacerbate internet addiction depending on the availability and quality of social resources. Conversely, Saudi Arabian cultural practices highlight the influence of family structures and religious values, which often promote resilience through structured guidance and adherence to societal norms.

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psychological model of addiction

These theories explore how our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors intertwine to create the perfect storm for addiction. Explore the journey of recovery, from therapies to aftercare programs, and embrace a life beyond addiction. For example, researchers have found a robust association between trauma and addiction (Dube et al., 2002, 2003; Giordano et al., 2016). Indeed, in the original Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study, Felitti et al. (1998) found that more ACEs increased the odds of subsequent drug and alcohol use.

These models provide different perspectives on the underlying causes of addiction and offer insights into how it can be addressed. The purpose of using one or a combination of these models is to help us gain a deeper understanding of the addiction cycle and the factors that contribute to its development. Dual process models of addiction are like trying to drive a car with two steering wheels – one controlled by our rational, deliberative system, and the other by our impulsive, automatic system. These models suggest that addiction involves an imbalance between these two systems, with the impulsive system often taking the wheel when it comes to drug-seeking behaviors.

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psychological model of addiction

It’s like trying to navigate a ship through Sober Houses Rules That You Should Follow stormy seas while the captain is still learning to read a map. The brain is still developing, impulse control is a work in progress, and peer pressure is at its peak. Poverty, lack of education, and limited access to healthcare can all contribute to increased risk of addiction. It’s a stark reminder that addiction doesn’t exist in a social vacuum, but is often intertwined with broader societal issues. Now, let’s venture into the labyrinth of the mind with psychological theories of addiction.

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Another emerging perspective is the behavioral addiction model, which extends the concept of addiction beyond substances to include behaviors such as gambling, internet use, or shopping. This model suggests that these behaviors can activate similar reward pathways in the brain as drugs or alcohol, leading to addictive patterns. As our understanding of addiction continues to evolve, new models and perspectives are emerging, challenging traditional views and offering fresh insights into the nature of substance use disorders. These emerging and alternative models reflect ongoing research and changing societal attitudes towards addiction, potentially paving the way for innovative treatment approaches.

As such, holistic treatment alternatives targeting these factors in both the child and the mother have been recommended (Neger & Prinz, 2015; Suchman, Mayes, Conti, Slade & Rounsaville, 2004). Attachment- and mentalization-based interventions have gained popularity as effective treatments for patients with SUDs (e.g., Dawe, Harnett, Staiger, & Dadds, 2000; Söderström & Skarderud, 2009; Suchman, DeCoste, Castiglioni, Legow, & Mayes, 2008). Psychodynamic theories also emphasize the role of context in the development of addictions. However, adverse caregiving experiences in early life may in particular foster the aforementioned deficits, as they lead to conflicting mental representations of self and others (Fonagy & Target, 2008). Such disorganized mental representations may thwart the individual’s ability to make sense of their own mental and physical experience, and consequently motivate substance use and abuse to escape discomfort (Kernberg, Diamond, Yeomans, Clarkin, & Levy, 2008).

The Standardized Root Mean Square Residual (SRMR) is reported at 0.017, well within the acceptable range of ≤ 0.09, signifying minimal residual discrepancies between observed and predicted values. The Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) stands at 0.062, which falls within the acceptable range of 0.05 to 0.10, indicating a reasonable approximation of the model to the population. The Goodness-of-Fit Index (GFI) is 0.94, exceeding the threshold of ≥ 0.90, suggesting a strong model fit. These indices collectively confirm the robustness of the scale’s structure and measurement properties.

  • Dopamine, the rock star of neurotransmitters, takes center stage in addiction’s neurobiological concert.
  • For example, glutamate is involved in learning and memory, and GABA is a calming neurotransmitter.
  • This explanation finds some validity in the high correlation between post-traumatic stress disorders and substance use (Mills et al., 2006).
  • In addition to these procedures being helpful in controlling internet addiction, resilience is equally implicated in influencing the process of internet addiction.
  • Again, the evaluation of the Resilience Scale’s fit indices suggests that the model demonstrates an acceptable fit to the data, suitable for measuring resilience.
  • They might involve improving communication, setting healthy boundaries, and helping the family as a whole adapt to life without substance use.

This estimate of harmfulness represents an expectancy related to using these substances in the described patterns. The reward deficiency syndrome (RDS) hypothesis presents another intriguing perspective. This model suggests that some individuals may be more prone to addiction due to a genetic predisposition that results in an underactive reward system. According to this theory, these individuals may be more likely to seek out substances or engage in behaviors that provide intense stimulation to compensate for this reward deficiency.

However, many researchers, including neuroscientists, indicate that the brain disease model presents a misleading, incomplete, and potentially detrimental explanation of addiction. While Khantzian takes a psychodynamic approach to self-medication, David Duncan proposed a self-medication model that focuses on behavioral factors. Duncan applied a public health model to drug dependence, where the agent (the drug of choice) infects the host (the drug user) through a vector (e.g., peers), while the environment supports the disease process through stressors and lack of support. A crucial determinant of whether a drug user develops drug abuse is the presence or absence of negative reinforcement, which is experienced by problematic users, but not by recreational users. According to Duncan, drug dependence is an avoidance behavior, where an individual finds a drug that produces a temporary escape from a problem, and taking the drug is reinforced as an operant behavior.

Mexico, because of its border with the United States, has the highest incidence of use. These traits are considered the basic dimensions of human personality and can be used to https://thecinnamonhollow.com/a-guide-to-sober-house-rules-what-you-need-to-know/ describe a person’s tendencies across different situations. In contrast, the Moral Model perceives addiction as a personal weakness or character defect that can be overcome through greater willpower. This is so I can give my full attention to those I help—while creating free content to support more people on this journey. “Is detox right for me?” Explore the importance, benefits, and types of drug detox programs to make an informed decision.

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