Models of Addiction: Key Theories Behind Addictive Behaviors

Instead, we offer consistent support and strive to be non-judgmental—the very relational nutrition missing from many individuals’ early developmental experiences. The general information questionnaire design of this study is based on a clear research purpose and problem orientation, and the questionnaire framework is constructed through a systematic method, and the questions are carefully designed to ensure that the questions are clear, specific and accurate. In the verification stage, first consult experts in the field of psychology to obtain professional sober house opinions and suggestions to ensure the scientificity and validity of the questionnaire content. A rigorous pilot test was then conducted, feedback from the test samples was collected, and the questionnaire was revised and refined according to the test results.

Ch. 1: Introduction to Psychological Models of Addiction

Such an approach would defy the rules of jouissance (e.g., by only using drugs in social gatherings) but with a resulting quota of guilt or shame for challenging The Other (i.e., social contract). The second alternative is to disavow or “pretend” as if castration never took place, resulting in the perverse structure https://northiowatoday.com/2025/01/27/sober-house-rules-what-you-should-know-before-moving-in/ where the individual bends the rules of jouissance to their own benefit despite The Other; for example, by knowing exactly when or how to use drugs to avoid testing positive in a drug test from work. In both cases, addiction would be understood as an act of rebellion against castration, by self-administering an extra quota of jouissance (i.e., plus de jouir) with substance use (Bazan & Detandt, 2013; Lacan, 1969; Loose, 2002). Therefore, addiction in neurosis and perversion may be understood as overindulgence in the hedonic properties of drug-taking behaviors in an attempt to avoid acknowledging, and effectively dealing with, frustration. Some forms of frustration may be social norms and boundaries, social rejection, loneliness, or loss (Bazan & Detandt, 2013; Loose, 2002).

There are a variety of psychological approaches that help us understand behaviours, treatment, and recovery. For example, helpers may look at how and why the behaviour is maintained; they may also engage in understanding the behaviours that are happening while a person is under the influence of a substance (24). Various models attempt to explain addiction, including the Disease Model, which views it as a chronic brain illness, and the Social Learning Model, which sees it as a learned behavior shaped by environmental influences. Effective treatment addresses addiction’s underlying causes through counseling, therapy, and lifestyle changes. For co-occurring mental health issues like depression or anxiety, antidepressants may complement behavioral therapies. Addiction is a chronic brain disease characterized by an inability to control substance use despite severe negative consequences.

Psychological Models of Addiction: Unraveling the Complex Web of Dependency

• It’s like recognizing that whether you’re addicted to chocolate, gambling, or heroin, the brain’s reward system is playing a similar tune.
• They may sometimes overlook the biological and social factors that contribute to substance use disorders, potentially leading to an incomplete understanding of the problem.
• Various models attempt to explain addiction, including the Disease Model, which views it as a chronic brain illness, and the Social Learning Model, which sees it as a learned behavior shaped by environmental influences.
• This perspective has revolutionized how we approach treatment, moving beyond simplistic notions of willpower or moral failings to a more nuanced understanding of the addict’s inner world.
• Now, let’s venture into the labyrinth of the mind with psychological theories of addiction.
• Additionally, interventions based solely on these models can be complex and time-consuming to implement, particularly when addressing broad societal issues.

Individuals who are genetically predisposed for addiction enter the world with a greater risk of becoming addicted at some point in their lives. Gabriel Freitas is an AI Engineer with a solid experience in software development, machine learning algorithms, and generative AI, including large language models’ (LLMs) applications. Graduated in Electrical Engineering at the University of São Paulo, he is currently pursuing an MSc in Computer Engineering at the University of Campinas, specializing in machine learning topics. Gabriel has a strong background in software engineering and has worked on projects involving computer vision, embedded AI, and LLM applications. The personality theory of addition argues that certain personality traits (e.g., neuroticism or impulsivity) can make individuals more susceptible to addiction.

Integrated models of addiction

This vulnerability, coupled with a stressful or demanding environment, hinders the proper development of the superego and limits the ego’s ability to develop more mature defense mechanisms for self-regulation (e.g., repression, displacement, sublimation, or humor; Freud, A., 1937). The ego is therefore limited to more primitive defensive strategies, including denial, idealization, and projective identification –defense mechanisms that are commonly reported in patients with addiction (Freud, A., 1937; Kernberg, 1975). Therefore, when such a fragile core-ego is faced with the hedonic demands of the Id, it may give in to the demands, for example, by procuring and consuming psychoactive drugs, or engaging compulsively in gambling, sex, or binge-eating (Freud, S, 1915; Fonagy & Target, 2008). From a neurobiological perspective, addictions are understood as a series of within- and between-system neuroadaptations, which may lead to structural and functional brain changes that impact reward processing, executive functioning, and emotion regulation (Koob & Le Moal, 2008; Potenza, 2008; Volkow et al., 2011).

Addictions Neuroclinical Assessment

Therapists using CBT might help clients recognize their triggers, develop coping strategies, and practice new ways of thinking about themselves and their 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. One explanation for this trend is that the toxic stress from trauma leads to a dysregulated stress response.

• Adult-onset addiction, often triggered by life transitions or stressors, reminds us that vulnerability to substance abuse can emerge at any age.
• Detox alone is rarely enough, as the underlying causes must be addressed through therapy, counseling, and lifestyle changes.
• They recognize addiction involves biological, psychological, and social factors interacting in complex ways.
• In contrast, the Moral Model perceives addiction as a personal weakness or character defect that can be overcome through greater willpower.
• In conclusion, while the multitude of addiction models might seem overwhelming, this diversity reflects the complex nature of substance use disorders.

Along with genetics, another contributing factor to the risk of addiction is one’s psychological composition. This factor is as broad as it sounds and includes personality traits (like sensation-seeking and impulsivity), mental health concerns (like anxiety and depression), psychological constructs (like self-esteem and self-worth), and the psychological impact of an individual’s life experiences (such as trauma). Some individuals may be more affected by the rewarding effects of drugs of abuse because they are trying their best to regulate painful emotions. Echoing psychodynamic object relations theories, secure attachment bonds have been suggested to protect an individual from developing an addiction (Crittenden, 2015). For instance, sensitive parenting has been found to promote the development of the executive functioning skills and self-regulation (Berner et al., 2010).

The arts can be used as an assessment tool to identify underlying issues that may be contributing to a person’s substance use disorder. Through art, individuals can gain insights into their own motivations and behaviors that can be helpful in determining a course of treatment. Finally, the arts can be used to advocate for those suffering from a substance use disorder by raising awareness of the issue and promoting understanding and compassion. Through art, individuals can share their stories, increase awareness, and offer support and hope to those struggling with substance use disorders. 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).

There are many theories about the causes of addiction, the use and abuse of legal and illegal psychoactive substances. Biology, psychology, and social and cultural elements all play a role in the enormously complex causal bouquet that results in addiction, and different theories weight the elements differently. Together they reflect the fact that there is no one path to addiction, and no one factor makes addiction an inevitable outcome. Addiction can’t happen without exposure to agents, but that is hardly the determining factor. Risk factors for gambling addictions include antisocial behavior, impulsive personality,37 male sex, sensation seeking,57 substance use, and young age. Managing stress through healthy coping strategies like exercise, meditation, and support groups is crucial.

Emerging and Alternative Models: New Frontiers in Addiction Theory

• On the contrary, when an individual recognizes castration, and thus the notion of rules, impossibility, and otherness in society, two alternatives become available to deal with the resulting frustration.
• Although there is no “addiction gene” to definitively identify a person as being at risk for addiction, it is evident through twin studies, adoption studies, family studies, and more recently, epigenetic studies that addiction has a genetic component.
• Instead, research indicates that it is more related to what else is, or isn’t, going on in a person’s life that makes the sensation a substance induces so attractive.
• It has been argued that growing up in a nurturing environment could promote a more effective distress regulation system and a greater ability to refrain from overindulging in recreational drugs (Fonagy et al., 2004).
• In this article, we’ll look at the different explanations of addiction and why some people become addicted and others don’t.

Addiction can also be strengthened because they use it to avoid their problems and cope with physical pain or negative emotions. Even though none of these explanations appears to be sufficient on its own, in combination, they can provide us with a holistic understanding of the factors underlying this condition. Taylor Swift’s lyrics explore the emotional complexity of drinking alcohol, from joy to heartbreak. Read more about evidence based treatments that can help you reduce your alcohol use, particularly if you are finding it difficult to avoid alcohol. Cocaine processed so that it can be smoked, it enters the blood stream rapidly and produces a rapid “rush” of a high; the immediate response becomes powerfully reinforcing, driving the motivation to repeat the experience. Around the world and in the U.S., nicotine is the most widely used addictive substance; tobacco causes a reported 40 million deaths worldwide.

It recognizes that while one person’s addiction might be primarily driven by genetic factors, another’s might be more heavily influenced by trauma or social environment. By considering all these potential factors, we can provide more effective, tailored support to individuals struggling with substance use disorders. The importance of considering multiple perspectives in addiction treatment cannot be overstated. By drawing from various models, clinicians can develop more comprehensive and personalized treatment plans. For instance, a treatment approach might combine medication-assisted treatment (based on the biological model) with cognitive-behavioral therapy (drawing from psychological models) and family interventions (informed by social and environmental perspectives).

Another key component of the biological model is the neurotransmitter imbalance theory. This perspective focuses on how drugs of abuse hijack the brain’s natural reward system, leading to imbalances in neurotransmitters like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. These chemical messengers play crucial roles in mood regulation, pleasure, and motivation, and their disruption can contribute to the compulsive drug-seeking behavior characteristic of addiction.

Things like strong social support, good problem-solving skills, and a sense of purpose in life can all contribute to resilience. Psychodynamic therapy techniques for addiction recovery often involve exploring these unconscious motivations and defense mechanisms. It’s like archaeological excavation of the mind, unearthing buried emotions and experiences that fuel addictive behaviors. While this approach can be time-consuming, it offers the potential for deep, lasting change by addressing the root causes of addiction rather than just its symptoms. The reason why drug addicts with moderate self-appraisal and moderate self-acceptance are less prone to subthreshold depression is that they possess a balanced and stable psychological state. Specifically, these drug addicts are able to view themselves in a relatively objective manner, neither over-exaggerating their own merits nor under-valuing themselves.