THEORETICAL MODELS AND APPROACHES
Theoretical Models and Approaches Paper
1
Psychological Models
According with Capuzzi & Stauffer (2020), psychological models may provide useful
explanations for substance use and process addictions (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2020). The authors
mention several different psychological models including cognitive-behavioral, learning,
psychodynamic, and personality theory models (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2020).
Cognitive-Behavioral Model
Cognitive-Behavioral Model maintains the idea that the main causality of addictions is
related mostly to reinforcers and cognitive and behavioral motivations (Capuzzi & Stauffer,
2020).
Blume (2001) mentions that positive reinforcement surely can lead to habitual use of
substances after initial experimentation. Although positive reinforcement may predict whether
the person may use substances again after experimentation, negative reinforcement may be a
better predictor of problems with substance abuse over a lifetime.
Learning Model
THEORETICAL MODELS AND APPROACHES2
Theoretical Models and Approaches
The theoretical models for explaining the etiology of addictions are extremely helpful in
understanding the process of becoming an addict. However, opting for only one approach may be
inadequate and explains why some individuals become addicted to a substance and others do not.
People have always been diverse in their actions. While some are very balanced and live
moderately, others are inclined towards excesses, leading a life on the edge and expose
themselves to consequences that are rarely consciously assumed. However, present life rhythms
have brought a vast wide offer of temptations such as the use of alcohol and drugs, which often
may have dramatic consequences, on the mental and physical health. Capuzzi & Stauffer (2020)
mention that motivation for using drugs varies from person to person. Some are using them out
of curiosity or for recreation, relief of problems, and relief for such tensions as stress, anxiety, or
depression.
Historically, several explanatory models of addiction have been formulated. Each of these
has focused on certain aspects of addiction, such as those of a medical nature (disease), moral,
psychological, family, public health, developmental, sociocultural, and biological (Capuzzi &
Stauffer, 2020. Because addictions are not caused by a single factor (Capuzzi & Stauffer), the
multi-causal approach I am proposing consists of presenting the following fascinating models
such as Cognitive-Behavioral Model and Learnings Model as subgroups of the Psychological
Models, the Neurobiological Model as subgroup of the Biological Models, Supracultural Model
as a subgroup of the Sociocultural Models, and Behavioral Model as a subgroup of the Family
Models.
THEORETICAL MODELS AND APPROACHES3
According to this model, parents may provide negative role modeling and therefore the
children may learn from their parents maladaptive coping techniques. (Capuzzi & Stauffer,
2020).
Lander et al. (2013) mentions that substance use disorders (SUD) are negatively
impacting emotional and behavioral the entire family system. This results in poor outcomes for
children and adults struggling with substance use disorders. Also, the author mentions that
having one or both parents with a SUD may have a negative consequence on the child or
adolescent such as difficulty establishing trusting relationships with people (Lander et al., 2013).
Tedgård et al. (2019) mentions that most of the children who had grown up with
substance-abusing parents reacted by taking a parenting role for themselves, their siblings, and
their parents.
Pickard (2017) mentions in an article that by repeated drug use experiences, the brain
changes due to brain neuroplasticity, a part of the ordinary process of learning and habit
formation that happens when the brain is exposed to reward.
One case that attracted my attention was in one of the NA meetings I attended. The group
member mentioned not knowing, not being aware of, or not having an explanation for his use of
drugs. He also stated that he does not know to suffer any childhood traumas like he heard other
people in similar situation stating. I recall his appearance. It was like he was physically,
emotionally, and mentally suffering. He mentions of feeling terrible and being out of methadone
for fifteen days already. In this particular case, I was thinking that would be helpful to know
more about the relationship he had with his parents, moreover, how was the family atmosphere
during his childhood years. Was the alcohol or drugs consumption part of their family or
significant others’ lifestyle?
Biological Models
Biological Models emphasize the idea that there is a biological basis for addiction, and
people struggling with addictions are constitutionally predisposed to develop dependence on
drugs (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2020).Two subgroup models included into the biological models are
genetic model and neurobiological model.
THEORETICAL MODELS AND APPROACHES4
Neurobiological Model
Capuzzi & Stauffer (2020) mentions that as a person begins to use a drug, the brain
chemistry is changing within the limbic system and leads to addiction. The authors mention that
the limbic system or the emotional part of the brain is the area of the brain in which addiction
occurs (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2020).On the other hand, Goldstein & Volkow (2002) mentions in
an article that the frontal cortical areas most frequently implicated in drug addiction such as
orbitofrontal cortex and the anterior cingulate gyrus, are activated in addicted subjects during
intoxication, craving, bingeing, and they are deactivated during withdrawal.
Sociocultural Models
Capuzzi & Stauffer (2020) mentions that the sociocultural system surrounding the
individual is defining and influencing a person and their probability of using drugs.
Supracultural Model
The Supracultural Models emphasizes the idea that the collective attitude toward alcohol
use may influence the rate of alcoholism (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2020). Also, Capuzzi & Stauffer
(2020) mentions four types of collective attitude such as favoring, abstinence, ritual use
connected with religious practices, convivial drinking in a social setting, and utilitarian drinking
(drinking for personal reasons). The authors mention that utilitarian drinking is the most likely to
lead to high levels of alcoholism; (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2020). The authors also mention a higher
rate of alcoholism and other drug use in the cultures in which there is little agreement regarding
alcohol and drug use (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2020). Because alcoholic beverages are so common
and accessible in western culture, we forget that alcohol is a drug with effects similar to
drugs. Alcohol thus becomes a growing risk because it can be accepted and encouraged by the
social groups. Alcohol consumption therefore becomes a behavior shaped by social learning.
Thombs & Osborn (2019) mentions that often alcohol is used to promote social
interaction and cohesion. Alcohol is frequently associated with a good time and fun with others,
and often people excuse their drinking behavior referencing as “social drinkers”, that drinking is
not problematic, even if the amount and frequency are above the norms.
As an example, for this type of model I have in mind a friend of mine from childhood. He
mentioned that he was struggling with alcohol consumption during his college years. Currently
he stays away from alcohol and he is living a balanced life. One thing that stood out for me was
something that he said in a group gathering. He stated that he realized he used to living in a
culture that not only told him it was okay to drink; it was actually encouraging it. A functioning
charismatic alcoholic is an old stereotype that has appeared in many “cool” movies such as “The
Hangover”. Excessive drinking seems to be part of “cool” adult life as portrayed in the movies.
Family Models
Capuzzi & Stauffer (2020) mentions that substance use disorders have a destructive effect
on the family dynamics and increasing the probability of suffering negative physical and
psychological harm. Also, the authors mention that there are at least three models of family
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References
Blume, A. W. (2001). Negative reinforcement and substance abuse: Using a behavioral
conceptualization to enhance treatment. The Behavior Analyst Today, 2(2), 86-90.
THEORETICAL MODELS AND APPROACHES5
models to understanding the development of substance use disorders those being behavioral,
family systems, and family disease (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2020).
The Family Behavioral Model
According to Capuzzi & Stauffer (2020), the family behavioral model emphasizes the
idea that within a family context, there is at least a family member who reinforces the behavior
of the abusing family member.
Lander et al. (2013), mentions that when a family member begins to change his or her
behavior, the change affects the entire family system.
Borsos (2009) mentions in an article that alcohol or drug abuse is part of the family
culture, and the children become acculturated into accepting it as a norm or expected behavior.
Therefore, denial, avoidance, or minimization of the problem helps it grow and perpetuate in the
next generations.
Conclusion
No one desires to become an addict. Addiction evolves progressively, often without the
awareness it is happening. Often, people struggling with addictions find out their friends and
families do not know how to recognize the early signs of addictions. Many times, I have heard
people around me saying “I can always quit smoking…if I want to ...”. It can take a long period
of time and willpower, sometimes years, and severe painful losses may occur until a person
comes to realize that he or she is suffering from addiction. Even the way society itself is
functioning may encourage and perpetuate the addictive process. Capuzzi & Stauffer (2020)
mentions that “to recognize the underlying addictive process is to acknowledge that society itself
operates addictively; its institutions perpetuate the addictive process. It does not merely
encourage addictions; it regards them as normal”.
THEORETICAL MODELS AND APPROACHES6
doi:10.1037/h0099916
Borsos, D. (2009). Addiction, models of. In G. L. Fisher, & N. A. Roget, Encyclopedia of
substance abuse prevention, treatment, and recovery. Sage Publications.
Capuzzi, D., & Stauffer, M. D. (2020). Foundations of addictions counseling (4th ed.). New
York, NY: Pearson. ISBN: 9780135166932
Goldstein, R. Z., & Volkow, N. D. (2002). Drug addiction and its underlying neurobiological
basis: Neuroimaging evidence for the involvement of the frontal cortex. American
Journal of Psychiatry, 159(10), 1642-1652.
Lander, L., Howsare, J., & Byrne, M. (2013). The impact of substance use disorders on families
and children: From theory to practice. Social Work in Public Health, 28(3-4), 194-205.
Pickard, H. (2017). Responsibility without blame for addiction. Neuroethics, 10(1), 169-180.
doi:10.1007/s12152-016-9295-2
Tedgård, E., Råstam, M., Wirtberg, I., Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska
akademin, Göteborgs universitet, . . . Institutionen för neurovetenskap och fysiologi.
(2019). An upbringing with substance-abusing parents: Experiences of parentification and
dysfunctional communication. Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 36(3), 223-247.
Thombs, D. L., & Osborn, C. J. (2019). Introduction to addictive behaviors, fifth edition.
