Models of Addiction

Some people believe that addicts are weak-willed individuals that exhibit moral decay and that they could quit taking drugs just by choosing to change their behavior. Others believe that addiction is a multifaceted disorder, and dealing with it requires more than just good objectives. In this context, this paper presents two of these addiction models, highlighting the history of the models and the ethical issues surrounding them. It also compares and contrasts the models, evaluating their strengths and limitations. The Disease Addiction Model The disease model of addiction stems from the idea that addiction is a disease because it is a chemical issue that is primary, chronic, and could be fatal if left untreated. ” The theory refers to addiction as a relapsing chronic brain disease with similar relapse rates as those of other chronic medical disorders like diabetes, hypertension, and asthma (Hall, Carter & Forlini, 2015).

One major ethical issue surrounding the disease model of addiction is the possibility of eroding a patient’s sense of control over the addiction. When addicts are educated about the disease model of addiction, there is a likelihood that they will accept the condition as a physiological disorder for which they have little control through their behavior. Such a perception could negatively impact the patients’ recovery process. BioPsychoSocial Approach The biopsychosocial model of addiction is based on the fact that scientists have not discovered a single factor that explains why some individuals can use substances without progressing to being addicts, while others progressively become dependent on the substances. The disease model of addiction believes that addiction is as a result of a combination of biological, environmental, and behavioral factors.