Addiction Development

Addiction can be defined as “the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance or activity” (Oxford university press, 2014). Addictive substances can vary significantly, from drugs, alcohol and gambling, to art, food and exercise. There are many viewpoints regarding addiction development; is it more appropriate to view addiction as disease or moral failure?

The disease model treats addiction as an illness, and related behaviours as signs and symptoms. A disease can be described as “a disorder of structure or function in a human, animal, or plant: that produces specific symptoms: and is not simply a direct result of physical injury” (Oxford university press, 2014). Suggestions of addictions being diseases appear in literature as early as 1700 (Campbell, 2003). However, it was more widely accepted during the 1700’s that addiction was a symptom of pathological breakdown or impairment of accepted moral functioning (Harding, 1986). Addiction was still seen as a bad habit, not a disease, into the early nineteenth century (Berridge, 1979).

The 20th century has seen the medical profession develop, providing greater insight into psychological and physiological effects of addictive behaviour, although some believe morals play a greater part. They argue that it takes an act of conscious engagement to consume sufficient drugs for addiction to develop (CITE)

Yet, the ‘disease model’ states many individuals are rendered vulnerable to addiction by genetics. The observation of an association between addiction and genetics has been confirmed by family, twin and adoption studies (Ball, 2006). Merikangas et al (1998) found a significantly increased risk of addiction among addicts’ relatives. Ujike (2008) also found evidence for ...

... middle of paper ...

... factors. Addiction should be viewed as a brain disorder, but not one that can be entirely separated from morality and personal responsibility. Medical and moral perceptions of addiction can be combined (Berridge, 1979). Furthermore, research on addiction as a disease seems more abundant, which has limited the scope of this essay. This might be because it is considered more compelling, as psychology develops as a science, to find evidence that can be measured scientifically rather than socially. Also, intensive research into the biological, rather than moral, basis of addiction may lead to further breakthroughs in successful treatment. Additionally, if it is for the greater good of society, it seems that forcing treatment is deemed ethically acceptable if it is only to the point of recovery. However, addicts have the right to refuse, which should be respected.