Addiction Treatment Theories
Addiction treatment theories encompass various psychological approaches aimed at understanding and addressing addictive behaviors. These theories include cognitive-behavioral models, which focus on changing thought patterns and behaviors related to addiction, as well as motivational interviewing, which aims to enhance an individual's motivation to change. Additionally, the biopsychosocial model considers the interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors in addiction treatment.
8 Key excerpts on "Addiction Treatment Theories"
eBook - ePubAddiction
A biopsychosocial perspective
- Chris Chandler, Anita Andrews(Authors)
- 2018(Publication Date)
- SAGE Publications Ltd(Publisher)
...addiction should be able to account for the key features of addiction including: individual susceptibility; its development and maintenance; how it is experienced physically and psychologically (features such as tolerance, craving, impulsive and compulsive use); and be able to suggest possibilities for treatment. Ideally a good theory should generate testable hypotheses. This is extremely challenging because it is very difficult to design studies in this field which accurately represent experiences in the real world (ecologically valid experiments). This is because in addition to societal and cultural impacts, addiction is experienced on an individual level, as a personal conflict, in individually triggering and personal environments. As a result of this complexity, most theories of addiction help us to understand one part of the picture more clearly without necessarily adequately addressing the other parts. Although the different theories in this chapter are organised under different subheadings for clarity, it will become evident that there is substantial overlap between theories and between attempts to explain observations. Different theories may incorporate widely applicable observations and offer distinct but mutually supportive explanations. It is difficult to experimentally evaluate all levels of analysis simultaneously. The first section will provide a broad overview of the disease or biomedical model of addiction, briefly tracing its history through alcohol and opioids to the current conceptualisation of the ‘disease’. The inclusion of the disease model in a chapter on psychological theories of addiction serves to illustrate the interrelationships between psychological processes and their biological underpinnings (see Chapter 3 for the neural systems involved). The next section will focus on theories which emphasise the role of choice and the influence of cognitive processes such as attention, perception and memory in driving addictive behaviour...
eBook - ePubAddictions Counseling Today
Substances and Addictive Behaviors
- Kevin G. Alderson(Author)
- 2019(Publication Date)
- SAGE Publications, Inc(Publisher)
...Theory ought to inform treatment, and a good theory coexists with empirically validated treatments. The theories described in this chapter include the moral/choice model, biological/disease theories, psychological theories, family models, sociocultural theories, postmodern theories, and the biopsychosocial model. A brief discussion followed each theory with a look at the role of the counselor using each approach, the strengths of the approach, and its limitations. The moral/choice model was the first pervasive addiction theory, which stigmatized addicted individuals as it focused on their sinful nature. Eventually, this view morphed by some into viewing addicted individuals as people with free will who continued making bad choices despite their self-evident maladaptive behaviors. Chronologically, the ever-popular biological/disease theories followed, which fortunately helped remove the stigma as addicted individuals were now seen as ordinary people who experienced a disease comparable to others with physical diseases. Genetic and neuroscience research continues to support this view of addictions. Four psychological theories were considered, including the (a) psychodynamic theories that focus on clients’ pasts in explaining their addictions, (b) behavioral/learning theories that contend that addictions are learned behaviors that can be unlearned, (c) cognitive-behavioral theories that provide several reasons (i.e., cognitions) that perpetuate addictive behaviors, and (d) personality theories that purport that people become dependent because they have “addictive personalities.” Each theory helps explain the mystery of addictions. Other researchers and counselors subscribe to a family/systems theory perspective. In this approach, the “identified” client represents an endemic problem shared with other family members. The three predominant models that use a systems approach are the behavioral, family systems, and family disease models...
eBook - ePub- Mary McMurran(Author)
- 2003(Publication Date)
- Routledge(Publisher)
...This theory is not incompatible with biological theories in that some people may be physiologically unable to tolerate alcohol or drugs and they will not, therefore, develop positive outcome expectancies. Expectancy theory offers directions for prevention and intervention. Assessment of expectancies may help in the identification of those who are at risk for developing problems later on. In addition, outcome expectancies may be modified in programmes to reduce alcohol and drug use. Implications of Psychological Approaches to Addiction There Is No Single Explanation of Addiction The first major implication of psychological approaches to addiction is that there is no single explanation of addiction. It is clear that a number of factors must be taken into account in explaining addiction. These factors lie within three major domains. Biological factors have a part to play through a person being more or less predisposed to develop an addiction by virtue of his or her biological make-up. Psychological factors are also important in that any individual will behave in ways which are influenced by his or her personal learning history. Addictive behaviours occur within a cultural and social context and issues relating to rules, norms and values are important in explaining addiction. These systems—biological, psychological and social— interact with each other to determine the nature and degree of the addictive behaviour in any person. For example, a person may be biologically prone to excessive alcohol consumption, but live in a society where heavy drinking is frowned upon and is unlikely, therefore, to proceed to problem drinking. Variables from each of the three systems differ from one person to the next, therefore it is important to treat each person as an individual, looking at his or her own unique profile. Over recent years, an integrative model, called the biopsychosocial model, has begun to emerge...
eBook - ePubDrug Abuse and Antisocial Behavior
A Biosocial Life Course Approach
- Christopher P. Salas-Wright, Michael G. Vaughn, Jennifer M. Reingle González(Authors)
- 2017(Publication Date)
- Palgrave Macmillan(Publisher)
...The brain disease model of addiction turns the moral model on its head by emphasizing the ways in which addiction influences our brain and, particularly in its more severe forms, closely resembles chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and asthma. Looking at the brain disease model, we examined the ways in which framing addiction within the language of health contributes to a richer understanding of the etiology, prevention, and treatment of addiction. You may have noted that—in a text that is dedicated to theorizing around both addiction and antisocial behavior—this chapter barely mentions violence, crime, or antisocial behavior. Guilty as charged. We took this approach for two reasons. First, in a text that is written primarily for criminological audiences, our assessment was that an in-depth review of the prevailing frameworks of drug abuse and addiction might be helpful to many readers. In laying out a biosocial approach to drug abuse and antisocial behavior, it is critical that we create a foundation that includes a solid understanding of the core theoretical components of addiction. The second reason is that emerging theorizing related to drug abuse and addiction is fascinating and powerful and possesses relevance to perspectives on crime that readers will readily find apparent. Indeed, a close look at the brain disease model of addiction reveals a robust, transdisciplinary theoretical conversation that has been underway for several decades. Addictions research is a field in which empirical and theoretical contributions not only have the freedom to incorporate a biosocial perspective, but it is a field in which a biosocial approach is simply to be expected. By no means are all arguments settled when it comes to biosocial theory and addiction...
eBook - ePub- Brian F. Shaw, Paul Ritvo, Jane Irvine(Authors)
- 2011(Publication Date)
- For Dummies(Publisher)
...In other words, this perspective links purely biological influences (vulnerabilities and changes in your brain chemistry), with psychological (as in the cognitive-behavioral and learning models) and social dimensions (certain social environments increase the likelihood that you will engage in addictive behaviors). Few current-day scientists dispute the value of the biopsychosocial perspective, because of the strong consensus that all of these pieces of the puzzle ultimately link together. The question is where and how linkage occurs and how useful knowing each link is to delivering and finding effective treatment. Answers derived from the biopsychosocial model are useful in guiding the selection of a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses all components of your addiction problem. You probably didn’t set out wanting to become addicted when you first started to engage in the addictive behavior. But at some point, your addiction took over. What was at one time under control becomes controlling. That switch point can be hard to define. But you’re bound to understand it better when you review all three dimensions — the biological comfort and pleasure that seems to automatically follow use, the psychological dependency that gradually bends your life so that real life has less and less to offer, and finally the social dimension where everyone who doesn’t support or know about your use seems to misunderstand you and treat you with less and less respect. Put all these dimensions together, and they form a downward spiral that can seem nearly impossible to turn around...
eBook - ePub- Robert West, Jamie Brown(Authors)
- 2013(Publication Date)
- Wiley-Blackwell(Publisher)
...1991; Petty and Briñol 2012), transtheoretical model (Prochaska et al. 1992; Norcross et al. 2011), acceptance and commitment theory (Hayes et al. 1999) and relapse prevention (RP) model (Hendershot et al. 2011; Larimer et al. 1999; Marlatt and George 1984). Biological theories Addiction is primarily a ‘brain disease’ in which neural pathways of executive function become disordered and particular motivational processes become amplified as a result of an interaction between behaviours and their effects in the brain, particularly, ingestion of particular drugs. It may seem strange to make such a large class of theories, and many of the other categories are of course ‘biological’. This category is intended to capture theories that propose specific neural mechanisms. Examples are neural circuitry in addiction (Brewer and Potenza 2008; Everitt and Robbins 2005; Schultz 2011), individual differences in neural circuitry (Everitt et al. 2008; Hariri 2009; Muller et al. 2010) and expectancy-reward theory (Baker et al. 2011). Social network theories The rates of transition into and out of addiction on the part of individuals within a group or population is a function of the social connections between individuals who are and are not promoters of addiction or non-addiction, and the nature of those connections. Examples are diffusion theory (Ferrence 1996; 2001), social contagion theory (Einstein and Epstein 1980; Rende et al. 2005; Smith and Christakis 2008) and actor–network theory (Latour 2005; Young et al. 2010). Economic models The prevalence, incidence and/or rate of addictive behaviours in populations can be predicted by functions from economic theory including current and future financial and other costs relating to the behaviour and/or competing/alternative behaviours. Examples are price elasticity (French et al. 2006; Gallet and List 2003; John 2008; O'Riordan 1969; Liu et al. 1999; Van Ours 1995) and cross-elasticity models (Mytton et al. 2007; Mytton et al...
eBook - ePub- Pamela S. Lassiter, John R. Culbreth(Authors)
- 2017(Publication Date)
- SAGE Publications, Inc(Publisher)
...13 Cognitive Behavioral Approaches to Addiction Treatment Edward Wahesh Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is among the most widely used approaches to treat addictive disorders (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2014). The popularity of this psychosocial treatment is not unfounded; considerable support exists within the literature for the use of CBT to treat a variety of substance use disorders, including alcohol, cannabis, opioid, and stimulant abuse (Magill & Ray, 2009; McHugh, Hearon, & Otto, 2010). Also, there is evidence that CBT is an effective treatment for behavioral addictions, such as gambling disorder (Gooding & Tarrier, 2009) and Internet addiction (Young, 2007). CBT is not a monolithic approach to counseling but is an umbrella term that includes a number of theoretical models. Although variations of CBT are discussed in the literature, each cognitive behavioral approach shares several core assumptions and tenets of treatment. In this chapter, the theoretical principles and techniques used in CBT for addictive behaviors are presented. Basic Tenets of the Theory Dobson and Dozois (2010) identified three principles of all major CBT approaches: (a) behavior is influenced by cognitive activity, (b) cognitive activity may be observed and modified, and (c) behavior change can be influenced by cognitive change. The first proposition, also known as the mediation hypothesis (A. T. Beck & Dozois, 2011; Ellis, 1984), represents the assumption that the manner in which individuals interpret events, rather than the events themselves, influence their behavioral and emotional responses. Problems occur when cognitive appraisals of events are biased (A. T. Beck & Haigh, 2014). There is evidence that faulty information processing influences behavioral and emotional responses to events (Dobson & Dozois, 2010) and that different types of psychopathology are associated with specific dysfunctional beliefs (Clark, Beck, & Brown, 1989)...
eBook - ePubAddictions From an Attachment Perspective
Do Broken Bonds and Early Trauma Lead to Addictive Behaviours?
- Richard Gill(Author)
- 2018(Publication Date)
- Routledge(Publisher)
...So class narratives are not entirely gone. Conclusion We are focusing today on the characterological models which would frame addiction in terms of trauma and personality, and as Khantzian (2008) does, sees addiction as a self medicalising response to internal suffering. I would agree with this wholeheartedly and would add that what I see is that a user won’t stop using until the pain of use is as great as the internal suffering and that, try as we might to get in the way, we make precious little difference until that point. Early intervention then would be the most effective way to help someone come to that understanding as soon as possible. Here, cognitive and educative models such as motivational interviewing have most impact. However, I would counsel that this be undertaken with an eye to the underlying psychodynamics as they present themselves. I am trying to develop the thought that the personal trauma, be that in infant and primary caregiver relationships, or later traumatic experiences, are set in a social and group context, something that can be seen as a more cultural, social, and group trauma. The changes in the social environment that have brought about the way we live currently come at a price that is linked to, and expressed by, the way we relate individually and in groups. Addiction is one of these prices. Our current economic culture is predicated upon perpetual growth and consumption. From this viewpoint one might argue that the filling of a void left by the changing of our social structures and the dispersal of interconnected social ties makes a breach in the personal and perhaps transpersonal that makes the individual so inflammatory and the family thermonuclear. Zoja (1989) seems to be approaching this position. This atomisation is accelerated with the advent of mass and immediate communication. The other material changes that come with this change in social organisation are of great benefit in terms of longer life and physical security...
