Theories of addiction.
Theories on Addiction
Besides from the theories of addiction discussed before on this site which consider the aspects of psychological and physical dependency, there are also several models of addiction which scientists have proposed that might explain how addiction begins and why people become hooked. There are models which explain that addictions also have physiological and psycho-social factors. Here are a couple of explanations of why addiction happens. The disease Model of Addiction In the disease model of Addiction, addiction is considered an illness, resulting from a disruption of behavioral and neurochemical processes. This disease can be treated by specialists and experts. It is argued that in this case, those suffering from addiction have either a physical or mental illness to some extent. For some, the problem stems from the inability of addictive persons to produce dopamine in their brain, and then seeking to replace this lack by using various substances. Genita Petralli H.H.P., N.C., M.H., says "The home of alcoholism resides in the hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal axis and only through balancing the functional neuroendocrine system can one naturally feel good inside their own skin again." For others, the root cause is a mineral deficiency. Linus Pauling said, "You can trace every sickness, every disease and every ailment to a mineral deficiency" Dr. Joel Wallach has also spoken and written extensively on this subject, affirming that all addictions are a form of Pica, a craving for minerals which leads some people to ingest dirt and other substances. For naturopathic doctor Hulda Clark, the cause of addictions is food contaminated with ergot (a toxic mold) and the ingestion, usually through breathing, of the toxic substance beryllium, which is found in kerosene and coal products. These toxins affect the brain, causing cravings for different substances.
The Genetic Model of Addiction This model basically states that your genes and genetics are the cause of addiction. The genetic model means that there is a predisposition to certain types of behaviors and personalities due to your genes. It is said that addiction is based on heredity and that it basically "runs in the family." Experts and scientist are still studying this factor but they believe that the family or certain relationships can contribute to addiction, and that they have a lasting influence on the addict. The Experiential Model of Addiction Stanton Peele has devised a model called the experiential model which asserts that addiction is actually related to experiences outside the home, whether it has something to do with positive or negative factors. However aside from this information, it also says that addiction can still be outgrown through natural process and is actually temporary. The opponent-process model of Addiction This opponent-process model was devised by Richard Soloman, states that if there is a psychological event A, for example, there will follow a psychological event B. An example of this would be if a person is addicted to drugs, the result of this might be withdrawal from his family and from his relationships. The same way, in a simpler illustration, if a person is concerned with being in small, enclosed spaces, that person might refuse to get inside an elevator. This model can also be associated with the color process scheme, in which if a person looks at the color red long enough and then looks at the color gray, he will see green. Other instances of the opponent-process model are those involving the sensory systems such as taste, sight, touch and smell. The opponent-process system might translate the sensory stems into addiction or something habit-forming. A variation of this model, designed by George Koob and Michael LeMoal, is called stability through change, where it modifies the opponent-process model by Richard Soloman. In this model, the continued use of drugs or any substance may lead to other symptoms such as uncontrolled usage, withdrawal, or negative emotions. The cultural model of Addiction In the cultural model of Addiction the culture where a person grows up or is transferred to might have a greater impact on addiction. An example would be the case of liquor, which is prohibited in some countries such as Saudi Arabia. This would then reduce the liquor addiction of some people. On the other hand, in the United States of America, gambling addiction has soared to new heights in recent decades, with the influence of some cities which allow gambling. There have also been studies in which liquor addiction gained ground in some families because liquor is prevalent in their households. On the other hand, people who are born into families where liquor is present in moderation may have more resistance to alcoholism. " The moral model As the name suggests, this model holds that addiction comes from a defect in the human character. Those who have this type of prototype believe that there is no biological basis for addiction. They can empathize with people who have suffered addiction in their lives but still hold them morally responsible. The habit model of Addiction The habit model was suggested by Thomas Szasz and this model argues against the very theory of "addiction." He states that the only way to tell the difference between a habit and addiction is "just to make someone perish. The blended model of Addiction Proposes a different therapeutic treatment to each and every addiction for each individual and considers that these individuals must be regarded and treated separately. Above are just some proposals and suggestions to why a person gets addicted. Until now, scientists, psychologists and experts are still debating on how addiction begins whether it is influenced by the family, by the culture or by the environment. They have devoted their time, energy and effort into solving this age-old problem. Conquering addiction starts from the heart and no matter what new technology crops up nowadays, how a person deals with his problems or trials in life makes all the difference. The more negative his perception, the more he will become addicted to something. The more positive, the better he can cope with these problems.
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