Running head: ESSAY 2 1
Essay 2
Laura Ullom
Liberty University
ESSAY 2 2
Addictions Model
Addiction can be generally identified as not having one specific cause or factor;
individuals who become addicted to a substance all have different paths to addiction and
dependence (Clinton & Scalise, 2013). There are numerous models that one can attribute
the cause of addiction to. Through this paper the biological, psychological, and social
models of addiction will be explored.
Biological Model of Addiction
Bio, the root of biology/biological, means “life” and this where the model of
addiction plants it’s foundation. This model of addiction centers on the anatomy,
structure, and molecular factors of addiction and how it directly influences the
functioning on the individual (Doweiko, 2015). Alcohol and drug metabolism changes
the sensitivity of the brain and neurological cells, resulting in lower dopamine levels
(Clinton & Scalise, 2013).
Psychological Model of Addiction
The psychological model of addiction examines how psychodynamic forces,
knowledge/experience learned, motivation, interpersonal interactions and own
personality influence an individual’s use of an illicit substance (Doweiko, 2015). With
learned knowledge, prior experiences and interactions with others being closely tied to
the other models of addictions, this implies a connectedness between all three. Those
who follow the psychological model believe that addicts are emotionally wounded and
need psychological care to battle their addictions (Clinton & Scalise, 2013). The wounds
individuals’ carry can stem from childhood or previous traumas. The negative emotions
that impede their daily living can create a void within the individuals. To fill this void,
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some may turn to alcohol or other drugs (Doweiko, 2015). The learning theory within
the psychological model suggests that individuals can learn to engage in alcohol and
abuse it through social situations (Doweiko, 2015). This is similar to learning theories
associated with childhood development. Children will act and say what they learn from
those around them. When individuals see and interact with those who drink and/or abuse
alcohol/drugs they will begin to partake in the same substances. The brain is associating
these substances with rewards and will desire the same immediate feeling (Doweiko,
2015).
Social Model of Addiction
The final model of addiction to be discussed can be associated with the influences
of culture, environment, and familiar factors have on addictions within an individual
(Dowieko, 2015). The social environments and elements that surround an individual can
do one of two things (usually): it can contribute to the beginnings of addictions or to the
resiliency against substances and addictions (Doweiko, 2015). Like the learning theory
within the psychological model, addictions can be a socially learned behavior. To fully
recover from addictions, the social model suggests that the individual needs supportive
people around them who are going to hold them accountable (Clinton & Scalise, 2013).
Spirituality & Addiction
Humans are innately designed to search for spirituality in the world, some “higher
power” that will help explain the unknowns of this world (Doweiko, 2015). Most times
when I hear others’ testimonies, they will say they spent most of their life before
salvation chasing things to fill a void in their life, and it wasn’t until they found God that
their empty hole was finally filled. When choosing to partake in illicit substances, most
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are aiming to numb their pain and frustrations with their life and voids they feel
(Doweiko, 2015). Addictions form and their tolerance levels rise because they find that
their troubles and frustrations are still there when the euphoria and calmness dissipate, so
they drink/use more until there are times when they are high/drunk more than they are
sober. This is why, I believe, incorporating Christian/Spiritual factors into counseling
services are so important. Helping clients fill their void in their life, will help create a
more successful recovery.
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References
Clinton, T. & Scalise, E. (2013). The quick-reference guide to addictions and recovery
counseling: 40 topics, spiritual insights, and easy-to-use action steps. New York:
NY: Baker Books.
Doweiko, H. E. (2015). Concepts of chemical dependency (9th ed.). Stanford, CT:
Cengage.
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