In many cases, addiction theorists have now progressed beyond stereotyped disease conceptions of alcoholism or the idea that narcotics are inherently addictive to anyone who uses them. Yet this new theoretical synthesis is less than meets the eye: It mainly recycles discredited notions while including piecemeal modifications that make the theories marginally more realistic in their descriptions of addictive behavior. These theories are described and evaluated in this chapter as they apply to all kinds of addictions. They are organized into sections on genetic theories inherited mechanisms that cause or predispose people to be addicted , metabolic theories biological, cellular adaptation to chronic exposure to drugs , conditioning theories built on the idea of the cumulative reinforcement from drugs or other activities , and adaptation theories those exploring the social and psychological functions performed by drug effects. While most addiction theorizing has been too unidimensional and mechanistic to begin to account for addictive behavior, adaptation theories have typically had a different limitation.


The neural basis of drug craving: an incentive-sensitization theory of addiction



Addiction psychology - Wikipedia
A Harvard Health article. Addiction involves craving for something intensely, loss of control over its use, and continuing involvement with it despite adverse consequences. Addiction changes the brain, first by subverting the way it registers pleasure and then by corrupting other normal drives such as learning and motivation. Although breaking an addiction is tough, it can be done.


Theories of Addiction – A Detailed Analysis
Addiction psychology mostly comprises the clinical psychology and abnormal psychology disciplines and fosters the application of information obtained from research in an effort to appropriately diagnose, evaluate, treat, and support clients dealing without addiction. Throughout the treatment process addiction psychologists encourage behaviors that build wellness and emotional resilience to their physical, mental and emotional problems. The basis of addiction is controversial. Professionals view it as a disease or a choice. One model is referred to as the Disease model of addiction.




Kevin McCauley is a non-practicing physician who has worked in the field of addiction treatment for nearly two decades. That just destroyed the prejudice I had picked up in medical school that addicts never ask for help and once an addict, always an addict. Unfortunately, the Navy did not have a similar policy for other kinds of addiction, and when he found himself addicted to opioid pain medications following a surgical procedure he was imprisoned by the Marine Corps in solitary confinement, court-martialed, and transferred to the U. Read more….