[Vision on man, vision on addiction: a multiple view of problems and recovery]

The way we look at addiction has changed dramatically over the past decades. Currently, the brain disease model is the leading model in the biomedical scientific literature. However, this model has been severely criticized and seems to apply mostly to people with a chronic form of addiction. When the ideas of the recovery movement are applied to the current understanding of addiction, the biopsychosocial (bps) model seems the most fitting. On the other hand, while 'meaningful existence' (or 'sense of meaning') is a focal element the model of recovery, this concept is not included in the bps model.
AIM: To explore whether addition of the concept of meaning to the bps model is usefull.
METHOD: Discussion of a case and evaluation of selected literature.
RESULTS: We advocate the addition of the concept 'sense of meaning' to the bps model, making it the bpsm model. A matter still to be resolved is whether this concept would become a fourth domain or considered either subjacent to or above the other three domains. We suggest that, while sense of meaning is not new in addiction care, adding this concept would underline the importance of the personal story behind the addiction.
CONCLUSION: Addition of the concept meaning to the bps model is Usefull in addiction care.