...explanations of addiction differ for different addictions? What you need to know MODELS OF ADDICTIVE BEHAVIOUR | EXPLANATIONS OF ADDICTIVE BEHAVIOUR | * Biological, behavioural (learning), and cognitive models of addictive behaviour | * Biological, behavioural (learning), and cognitive explanations for initiation, maintenance, and relapse * Specific explanations of particular addictions including smoking and gambling | MODELS OF ADDICTIVE BEHAVIOUR The models of addictive behaviour attempt to explain the causes and thereby offer insights into how an addiction develops. The assumptions as to the causes of addiction also affect the approach taken to treatment. Biological model of addictive behaviour According to this model, the main causes of addictive behaviour are biological factors within the individual, for example, a neurochemical imbalance or a genetic predisposition towards addictive behaviour. Thus, the vulnerability to develop an addiction may be inherited and family studies are used to support this explanation. Thus approach assumes that addiction has physical causes and can therefore only be cured through medicine. Behavioural (learning) model of addictive behaviour This model is based on the principles of learning and the assumption that all behaviour is learned through association (classical conditioning), reinforcement (operant conditioning), or social learning (social learning theory) from environmental experience. Thus, addiction is the learning...
Words: 2488 - Pages: 10
...102 10-31-12 Addicted to Technology What does addiction mean? Well, if you look up on internet you will find many definitions to it as "The condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or involved in something" or "A compulsive physiological and psychological need for a habit-forming substance". When you say the word addiction the first thing that come in people's mind is drugs, but you can be addict to many things besides drugs you don't even know. Many people could be addict to work, video games, social network, food or even shopping. People who are truly addicted generally have a compulsion to do something and cannot limit the amount. I think some activities are more addictives than others, but it depends on people's interests. Some people feel better playing video game than eating or shopping, some people rather spending time on computer than studying. I am not crazy for computer or video games but I love going to the gym. I go to the gym every day to look better, when I miss a day I feel guilty and bad about myself. Am I addicted to working out? Well I don't think I am addicted to working out because so far it is not interfering with my job, relationship, or other important daily activities. I don't plan my entire day around my visits to the gym. I don't think I could replace my family, friends or work for something that I liked to do. I believe that technology brought to our world two new kind of addictions: video games and computer. Some video games allow...
Words: 561 - Pages: 3
...Luke Iovino QU301 9/9/15 What is Addiction? To me, addiction is a drug that a person consistently relies on. Their day is consumed by the overwhelming thought of getting their fixation and in my opinion it is a disease. One of the bigger factors for why people become addicted is definitely stress. People will bury their anxiety and stress after a long day with some abusive drug just so they can feel better. After a certain amount of time it becomes a habit and you depend on it and eventually addiction sets in. Disease is defined as “an illness that affects a person, animal, or plant : a condition that prevents the body or mind from working normally”(Merriam-Webster). Based off of this definition and my own knowledge addiction hits that definition spot on. Addiction consumes a person and it “prevents the body and mind from working normally”. The mind becomes consumed by the fixation of the drug they are addicted to and the body deteriorates as they use more and more. Addiction really is like most major diseases if we look at heart disease, this is a disease that is partly due to genes and a bad lifestyle, such as eating unhealthy and little exercise. While type 2 adult-onset diabetes is also considered a disease and is from the same two factors of bad lifetime choices. So now when looking at addiction it’s a matter of bad lifestyle choices of picking up that needle or popping that pill and eventually its something you cant control like other diseases. When looking...
Words: 406 - Pages: 2
...lead author of the article, Dr. Elias Aboujaoude, director of the Impulse Control Disorders Clinic at Stanford University's school of medicine, told TechNewsWorld. Need Their Net Through a random-digit-dial telephone survey of 2,513 adults in the United States, the Stanford team found that of the almost 70 percent of respondents who were Internet users, 13.7 percent found it hard to stay away from the Net for more than several days at a time. That number is higher than that seen in prior research on the problem, according to Hilarie Cash, co-founder of Internet/Computer Addiction Services in Redmond, Wash. "Earlier research had shown about six percent of the population struggling with this," she told TechNewsWorld. The researchers also discovered that 8.7 percent of Web users in the survey attempted to conceal non-essential Internet use from family, friends and employees. "One sign of addiction is secrecy, hiding, lying about it," Cash observed. Disorder or Symptom? Now that they've unearthed significant signs of problematic use of the Internet by a significant proportion of Netsters, the researchers said more inquiry must be performed to hash out whether Internet addition is an independent disorder or the symptom of other psychopathologies. "If it's a symptom of other disorders, such as depression, then treating those disorders should help treat the Internet behavior,"...
Words: 727 - Pages: 3
...Addiction, a severe craving that is pulses through our bones; it pulses and throbs until we find a way to calm it. When people watch others struggle with an addiction they often say why don’t you just stop? Some do not comprehend what it is like to have an addiction. To help prevent people from doing anything that can lead into an addiction, schools teach students about addictions; they advise them what to stay away from, so that the students do not become an addict. When a person tries something and gets a thrill out of it, the brain puts this activity into the reward circuit of your mind. Therefore the next time that you partake in this activity your brain tells you that you want more of it. Some people may become addicted, while others do not. This is all because of the way our mind works. For some it’s easier to become addicted to an activity because someone in their family may have had that same addiction, making it easier for them to become addicted. Although people want to stop their drug activity, they simply cannot because their body wants it more than anything, and if they don’t appease the body, they can get sick. After years of the addiction, it is more of an illness than an addiction. Since the addiction is keeping the person feeling their greatest, they are fine, correct? With an addiction, there are always consequences, if you have an a minor addiction to collecting stones, or a major addiction of hard drug use. Addictions cause your mind to think differently, it...
Words: 1145 - Pages: 5
...Reference Database: “Addiction” by Nancy A. Piotrowski, Ph.D Addiction is when the human body becomes dependent on a substance. Prolonged use of any psychoactive drug will determine a persons dependency. The addiction can affect a person psychologically and physiologically; this will show in an addicts tolerance and withdrawal symptoms from a drug. Tolerance will involve the biological system such as the human body, changes in the body after a drug is present, and environmental or behavioral conditioning. The way the human body processes a drug is by absorbing a drug through the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream it will be delivered to different organs and they will metabolize the drug and eliminate it from the body. After frequent use of a drug, the way the body processes a drug may change. When this occurs the body is able to rid itself of the drug more efficiently. This leads to reduced effects from the drug than when it was initially consumed. When this happens an increase to the dose will be required to get the desired effect. Many changes will occur in the body once a drug is present. It will change the sensitivity in specific areas of the body where the drug has an impact. For instance, there may be a direct or indirect impact on different areas of the brain. A direct impact may lead to a change in the brains receptors. When there is an indirect impact it will show in tissue tolerance and functional tolerance. Environmental and behavioral conditioning...
Words: 2696 - Pages: 11
...Being an addict or becoming an addict to something, for instance, drugs can consume someone’s life. This subject is very puzzling in the medical world. Being an addict means that a person is “reliant on a substance or behavior that the individual has little power to resist (NIDA).” If a person has an already predisposed personality to becoming addicted to something, then that addiction can consume the person’s actions and every thought. An addictive personality is referred to as a particular set of personality traits that can make an individual predisposed to addictions. Two types of addictions are substance-abuse addictions and behavioral-based addictions. In substance abuse addictions, dopamine is released in the brain due to the usage of the drug. This causes a range of sensations to happen, producing a euphoric event, making the addict to feel this sensation again, leading to drug abuse. It creates a compulsive need for the drug and craving the drug badly that when the drug isn’t administered could lead to withdrawals. On the other hand, the behavioral addictions are similar to the substance abuse addictions, expect that the individual is more addicted to the behavior associated with drug use rather than being addicted to the substance. A “high” or euphoric event still happens with behavioral abusers, forcing the brain to crave that “high” again, blocking out any negative consequences that happen when using the drug. The need to repeatedly go through the drug experience, to get...
Words: 1328 - Pages: 6
...Addiction in Adolescents Amar Khan Liberty University Abstract There are numerous reasons for addiction in adolescences. Numerous adolescents that battle to meet their own levels and society's measures as they attempt to shut out the difficulties of their high school years (Feldman, 2014, p. 349). These difficulties stretch out a long ways past dealing with an overflowing calendar. With bodies that are obviously changing, allurements of sex, alcohol, different medications, intellectual advances that make the world appear to be progressively unpredictable, social systems that are in consistent flux, and tilting feelings, adolescents end up in a time of life that orders excitement, uneasiness, happiness, and hopelessness, in some cases in equivalent measure (Feldman, 2014). Relationship between Abuse and Addiction Substance abuse and addition have an exceptionally slight distinction between them. Substance abuse signifies utilizing an illicit substance or utilizing a lawful substance as a part of the wrong way (Vranken, 2011). While addiction starts as abuse, or utilizing a substance, for example, marijuana or cocaine. You can abuse a medication or alcohol without having dependence. For example, just on the grounds that somebody smoked pot a couple times doesn't imply that they have a fixation, yet it does imply that they're misapplying a medication and that could prompt an addiction. Then again, for some adolescents, alcohol utilization turns into a tendency that can't...
Words: 1052 - Pages: 5
...Addiction, what is it? Is it something that we feel or is it really a choice? For years in my personal life I have seen addiction take over my whole family through drugs and alcohol. It has destroyed many of people and it has helped many of people at the same time. When the word “addiction” is said it is manly used in a negative way, but it can also be positive as well. So is it or is it not a choice? In the beginning of any addiction it always starts off as choice or “something you want to do”. You want to drink, you want to do drugs, you want to have sex, etc. As time goes on though those so called “choices” that you once had start to become more addictive and more addictive until you are at a point where you don’t feel like or want to do something for your own pleasure, but you need it, you need to drink, you need to smoke, you need to have sex, etc. That once choice of addiction you had now becomes a disease, a uncontrollable need physically and mentally. So what now? Should you keep on believing that this once called “choice” that you had can be controlled or is it indeed an actual disease that is uncontrollable and that you may need help for (that’s even if you want the help)? The cure for addiction is totally up to the addict, but it is in fact that through time the addictions that a person once wanted are now addictions that a person needs every day, every minute, and every second and that is why addiction is not choice. In Alice M. Young’s research paper Addictive...
Words: 1341 - Pages: 6
...Abstract Addictions covers a range of maladaptive traits to include substance use, alcohol or behavior leading to significant impairments. There are various causes of addiction, but some theoretical frameworks indicates that addictions may have a genetic component that leads to a predisposition to develop addiction, a disease model of addiction or as the result of self-medicating of a primary disorder. This paper will take a theoretical view of the causes of addiction as well as developing a working definition of addiction. Causes of Addiction There are numerous theories regarding addiction and the causes of addiction; however, for the purpose of this paper we will discuss three areas or models of addiction as it relates to substance and alcohol related abuse. Before delving into the causes of addiction we will develop an understanding of what addiction is and what it is not by viewing a few theories and definitions of addiction. We will also develop an understanding of what constitute a diagnosis of addiction and causes one to develop an addiction in the context of genetic predisposition, disease and the prevalence of addiction among individuals with co-occurring disorders stemming from traumatic experiences such as childhood abuse. Addiction Defining addiction is not a simplistic task as there are many theories and definitions of addiction and how addiction develops. In Drugs and addiction: an Introduction to Epigenetics, Wong...
Words: 1482 - Pages: 6
...Addiction Addiction is a term that is used loosely by society, but in the health care system it is viewed as a serious disease. Addiction is psychological or physiological dependence on a substance or practice that is beyond voluntary control. There are many types of addictions, which can range from food to drugs and even gambling and sports. What does addiction mean to you? Is it a dependence on a substance that is beyond your control or is addiction something that you could give up if you wanted to? Addiction is having that hype to want to go eat your favorite food just because your mind is telling you that you want it. All day you sit around with plenty of food in your house and all you can think about is that large extra cheese and sausage pizza that you really want. After sitting around for a little while looking for something to eat you decide to go get that pizza because that’s all you want and even though you may have had it for lunch or dinner the past 3 days you still want it. As soon as you go pick up that pizza and smell it your senses go crazy and your mouth waters because you’re addicted to it. A food addiction is something that you can overcome, granted it may not be easy but it is easier to get over than a drug addiction. Addiction is having that voluntary feeling of the need to have a cigarette or another beer. Once you get started on cigarettes it is hard to stop. You breathe in that nicotine and your brain tells you that you just have to have another...
Words: 942 - Pages: 4
...Addiction: Stemming from Drug and Substance Abuse I. Introduction Addiction is a monster; it lives, and feeds off of you, takes from you, controls you and destroys you. It is a beast that tears you apart, rips out your soul, and laughs at your weakness. It is a stonewall that stands to keep you in and the rest out. It is a shadow that always lurks behind you, waiting to strike. Addiction lives in everyone’s mind, sitting, waiting (A prisoner in his own body, n.d.). Addiction is defined as the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma (Dictionary.com, n.d.). It has been reported that there is an increasing rate of drug and alcohol abuse whereas 23.5 million people are involved including children at 12 years of age. The given information has alarmed the populace regarding the said issue due to its adverse effects. Drug addiction is a detrimental vicious cycle as it threatens one’s health and society; however, this could be combatted. Considering that addiction is a crisis faced by numerous individuals, I would like awareness to be entailed by discussing its causes, possible solutions, and preventions. (Transition: What could be the possible causes of addiction?) II. Body Substance and drug abuse often lead to addiction as these are caused by curiosity, stress, and peer pressure. Curiosity drives people, especially teenagers, to try drugs. Adolescence...
Words: 1021 - Pages: 5
...Introduction Addiction is one of the global problems leading to huge loss of life and causing untold suffering in families and society. This paper will focus on various models that are used to explain the etiology of addiction. Models for addictions refer to the tools used to deliver message concerning the biological basis of addiction as well as the broader social and psychological aspect of addiction. Models The following are the known models that explain the concept of all forms of addiction. 1. Personal responsibility model 2. Agent model 3. Dispositional model 4. Sociocultural model 5. Public health perspective Personal Responsibility or Moral model According to this model, society has divergent views concerning the issue of addiction although none of them is positive. One of the many views the society has is that addiction is a criminal behaviour. The other view or perspective is that addiction is a sin. The model attributes character and weakness defects to addiction (Bentley, 2007). The model has neither sympathy nor care for the individuals who have chronic addictions. The model bases its message concerning the addiction as an individual’s choice. As per this model individuals who are strong morally are well positioned to avoid, control and stop any form of addiction. The situation makes the model resemble medical and spiritual model. Moral uprightness is closely associated with religion. Without strong spiritual belief, various researchers...
Words: 1055 - Pages: 5
...ADDICTIONS Many people get addicted to drugs and alcohol ext- They become dependent on it the important thing is to get help before it ruins your life. There are so many different types of addictions such as meth, crack, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and alcohol. These addictions are just an example of the extreme life changing substances. There are less serious addictions such as cigarettes, and chew, then there are not so big of a deal but, big enough that you should seek help. These are just some of the types of addictions. Right now I want to talk about the major addictions. Meth is a highly addictive drug there motto is “not even once”. Meth is a synthetic stimulant that affects the central nervous system. If meth gets a hold of you it will not leave you alone tell you get your next fix. According to www.methproject.org meth has a huge effect on your body especially the brain. Meth also known as methamphetamine can cause significant changes to the cranium. Some are immediate and some happen over time. Depending on how bad the addiction is. It causes depression, learning difficulties, obsessive movement, and memory loss. Meth is so highly addictive that doing it once will set up the cycle of dependency. This is where the users need the drug in order to be all right. (www.methproject.com) Users continue to depend on meth because, of the effects of coming down. When coming down you can’t find anything to make you happy. Thus the reason users will go to any lengths to get more...
Words: 1158 - Pages: 5
...The nation’s problem with addiction cannot be ignored as it affects almost every American. Alcohol abuse costs the country 185 billion dollars, along with forty billion dollars spent every year on drug war. Addiction is certainly an epidemic that is plaguing our society today, and the issue must be directly addressed rather than ignored. Addicts are people who are among every one of us, living in a society or as a nation to deal with social problems such as addiction. However, each one of us as individuals can make positive difference – addict or not – by attempting to take responsibility for our own personal transformations. It is individuals who make a society or a nation. Hence, perhaps our attempt to see an addiction-free society could be achieved by each one of us first experiencing it in our individual lives. If every citizen makes it their responsibility to understand addiction and provide support, instead of judgment, for those suffering, the nation would benefit in many ways. There are several reasons such as physical, psychological or sociological, attributed to the problem of addiction, but addiction is a fundamental human trait. It touches on the search for meaning that tends to define what it is to be human in the first place. While many of us apparently struggle to find a meaning for our lives in a materialistic society, “it is addicts among us who are most in rebellion against the materialism in our society” (Seeburger). While several methods, from criminalization...
Words: 786 - Pages: 4
