PS375 HFarel Unit 3 Assignment

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RUNNING HEAD: ETIOLOGY OF ADDICTION

Etiology of Addiction
Unit 3 Assignment
Kaplan University
Helen Farel

1

RUNNING HEAD: ETIOLOGY OF ADDICTION
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What is addiction? Is it a disease or a personal choice? What causes addiction? Is it
hereditary, does it run in families, can it be passed down from the parent to the child or is it a
product of our environment? There are a number of theories that explain addiction and a number
of treatment models have been created to try and help an individual overcome their addiction.
William R. Miller, Alyssa A. Forcehimes, and Allen Zweben have outlined the five models of
addiction that have been developed to explain the disease of addiction in their book, treating
addiction: A guide for professionals. In this paper I will discuss each of the five models.
The personal responsibility model states that problems with alcohol and other drugs are
considered as a failure of self-control in most societies. It is a violation of moral, ethical and
religious standards. (Miller, Forcehimes & Zweben, 2011). The personal responsibility model
believes that addiction is an individual’s personal choice, the result of a flawed character. During
the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries addiction was viewed as a sin and the addicts were
seen as morally weak and the addiction was the fault of one’s character. (Dept. of hHealth,
2004). Under the influence of this model drug users were punished with whippings, public
beatings, fines and public ridicule. (Dept. of hHealth, 2004). Spiritual direction was also a
treatment and jail sentences were another form of punishment and at the turn of the century any
drug users were put in mental hospitals due to the jails becoming too full. (Dept. of hHealth,
2004).
The agent model places emphasis on the drug itself. (Miller, Forcehimes, & Zweben,
2011). In this model anyone who is exposed to the drug is at risk because of its addictive and
destructive properties. (Miller, Forcehimes & Zweben, 2011). The U.S. temperance movement
promoted caution and moderation in the use of alcohol, and became a prohibition movement
placing blame on the drugs itself. (Miller, Forcehimes, & Zweben, 2011). In 1919, the

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ratification of the 18th amendment made it illegal to manufacture, sell, transport or import
intoxicating liquor, later being repealed by the 21st amendment in 1933. (Miller, Forcehimes, &
Zweben, 2011). An agent model was incorporated in the “war on drugs” in the late 20th century.
It is implied that the primary remedy would be to rid society of the drugs. (Miller, Forcehimes, &
Zweben, 2011).
The dispositional model assumes that the origins of addiction lie within the individual
himself. The dispositional models share this emphasis with moral models, but interpret the cause
constitutional and beyond the individuals willful control. (Miller, Forcehimes, & Zweben, 2011).
Among the dispositional model is the disease model. In the disease model addiction is viewed as
an illness and the addict as someone who is the victim of this disease. Disease models argued for
humane treatment of the addiction rather than punishment. (Miller, Forcehimes, & Zweben,
2011). Different genetic risk factors have been documented that increase the likelihood of
developing addiction to particular substances. (Miller, Forcehimes, & Zweben, 2011). Other
dispositional models have emphasized stable and irreversible changes that occur in the brain with
chronic use and they compromise self-control. The dispositional models remove the blame off
the people for their condition, but the responsibility of recovery remains the responsibility of the
individual, who is usually counseled to adopt permanent abstinence as the only way to prevent
further progression of the disease. (Miller, Forcehimes, & Zweben, 2011).
The social learning model is based more on the user’s thoughts about the substance and
what it’s like to be under the influence of the drug itself. (Dept. of hHealth, 2004). The social
learning model assumes that anyone who engages in an activity that they find enjoyable is at risk
of developing a dependence on that activity. (Dept. of hHealth, 2004). It also assumes that
dependence is a learned behavior that results from conditioning, modelling and thinking about

RUNNING HEAD: ETIOLOGY OF ADDICTION
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the substance. (Dept. of hHealth, 2004). Interventions from a social learning perspective focus on
changing the individual’s relationship to the social environment. (Miller, Forcehimes, & Zweben,
2011).
The sociocultural model focuses on society as a whole and not just on individuals. It is
based on the idea that the type of society in which people live has an impact on their drug use.
This model has become popular within the last fifteen years. (Dept. of hHealth, 2004). It
suggests that people who belong to groups who are culturally and socially disadvantaged are
more likely to experience substance abuse problems. It also recognizes that society labels users.
(Dept. of hHealth, 2004).
The public health perspective takes all the important factors into account and considers
their interactions with each other. (Miller, Forcehimes, & Zweben, 2011). It is an integrated
approach that identifies three key factors and the relationship between them. (Dept. of hHealth,
2004). The three key factors are: (1) the agent, its characteristics and the effects of the drug itself.
(2) The host, the characteristics of the individual or group of users, and (3) the environment and
the context of the drug use. (Dept. of hHealth, 2004). The agent, host and environment factors
interact with each other. (Miller, Forcehimes, & Zweben, 2011).
Why do some people develop an addiction to drugs, while others do not?
People become addicted to drugs due to several factors. Some people are susceptible to the
addictive properties of the drugs due to genetic factors. When a person decides to use alcohol or
drugs it’s by choice that is also influenced by their environment—peers, family, and availability.
(NCADD, n.d.). Once that person uses the alcohol or drugs, the risk of them developing a
dependence on the substance is influenced by genetics. (NCADD, n.d.). The most reliable

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indicator of risk for future alcohol and drug problems is family history. (NCADD, n.d.). Simply
put alcohol and drug dependence runs in families. (NCADD, n.d.).
I believe the model that I align with is the dispositional model. I have personally battled
with an addiction to prescription painkillers for over fifteen years, due to a medical condition that
I have. I also have family and friends that battle this disease as well. While I do believe that is
was my/our choice to take the drugs, it was not our choice to become addicts develop a substance
use disorder. I believe an addict individual with a substance use disorder is a person who is a
victim of the disease and that our addiction can never be cured but we can live a normal and
happy life if we take the precautions and follow the program that was put in place for us to
remain drug free (source/citation?).

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References
The Department of Health. (2004). Models that help us understand AOD use in society.
Retrieved from
www.health.gov.au/internet/publications/publishing.nsf/Content/drugtreat-pubs-front5wk-toc~drugtreat-pubs-front5-wk-secb~drugtreat-pubs-front5-wk-secb-3~drugtreat-pubsfront5-wk-secb-3-4#mod
Miller, W.R., Forcehimes, A.A., & Zweben, A. (2011). Treating Aaddiction: aA guide for
professionals. New York, NY: Guilford.
National Council on aAlcoholism and dDrug dDependence, Inc. (n.d.). Family history and
genetics.
genetics.

Retrieved from. http://ncadd.org/for-parents-overview/family-history-and-

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