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Published on: February 20, 2019
Addiction: choice or compulsion?
Edmund Henden1, Hans Olav Melberg, Ole Jørgen Røgeberg
1Centre for the Study of Professions, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences , Oslo , Norway.
Frontiers in Psychiatry
|August 23, 2013
Summary
Addiction is neither solely a disease nor a choice. This research proposes a new model acknowledging both compulsive drug use and voluntary behavior in addiction, offering a more nuanced understanding.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Philosophy of Mind
Background:
- Traditional views on addiction are dichotomous: a medical model (disease) versus a moral model (choice).
- The medical model emphasizes neurobiological changes from drug use, suggesting loss of control.
- The moral model highlights voluntary behavior and personal responsibility in addiction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To challenge the limitations of existing medical and moral models of addiction.
- To propose a novel, integrated model of addiction.
- To reconcile the concepts of compulsive drug use and voluntary behavior.
Main Methods:
- Philosophical analysis of existing addiction models.
- Integration of neurobiological and behavioral evidence.
- Development of a third, alternative model of addiction.
Main Results:
- Both the disease and choice models of addiction are incomplete.
- Addictive drug use can be viewed as both compulsive and involving voluntary behavior.
- A new model is presented that accommodates both aspects.
Conclusions:
- Addiction is a complex phenomenon that defies simple categorization.
- A comprehensive understanding of addiction requires integrating neurobiological and volitional perspectives.
- The proposed model offers a more accurate framework for understanding and addressing addiction.
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