What Does Psychology Say About Addiction?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Psychology Today makes it quite simple:

When a person engages in an activity that is pleasurable but cannot stop doing it, even to the detriment of everyday living

(such as work, hobbies, family time, finances, etc.), and health and wellbeing suffer as a result, this behavior would be considered an addiction.

What are the psychological reasons for addiction?


Heightened desire to re-experience use

of the substance or behavior, potentially influenced by psychological (e.g., stress, history of trauma), social (e.g., family or friends’ use of a substance), and environmental factors (e.g., accessibility of a substance, low cost) can lead to regular use/exposure, with chronic …

What is psychological theory of addiction?

The addicted person constructs a whole explanation in their mind about

how the behavior makes them feel better

. They come to believe that the behavior is the key to feeling good, regardless of how it actually makes them feel, and the negative consequences that follow.

Is addiction an abnormal behavior?

Since addiction is defined as a compulsive action in the face of negative consequences,

addiction can be defined as abnormal behaviour

. Abnormal psychology is not concerned with making everybody fit into a narrow definition of “normal”.

What is an addictive behavior?

Addictive behavior is defined by

compulsive drug use despite negative physical and social consequences

and the craving for effects other than pain relief.

What are the 3 models of addiction?

  • Moral model. During the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries addiction was viewed as a sin. …
  • Disease model. The disease model assumes that the origins of addiction lie within the individual him/herself. …
  • Psycho-dynamic model. …
  • Social learning model. …
  • Socio-cultural model. …
  • Public health model.

What are the three main psychological theories of addiction?

This paper treats addiction as a problem of motivation, and reviews three main approaches to understanding motivation as applied to addiction:

decision-theory, drive theory and behaviourism

.

What are the four models of addiction?

The four C’s of addiction are a helpful tool in distinguishing between addiction as a mental health disorder demanding treatment and other types of addictive behaviors. The four C’s are

compulsion, cravings, consequences, and control

.

What is the main cause of addiction?

Environment:

Exposure to addictive

substances, social pressure, lack of social support, and poor coping skills can also contribute to the development of addictions. Frequency and duration of use: The more someone uses a substance the more likely they will become addicted to it.

Is food addiction a mental illness?

Food addiction is

a mental health issue in which a person becomes addicted to food

, especially processed junk foods. Numerous scientific studies confirm that food addiction involves the same brain areas as drug addiction ( 5 , 6 , 7 ).

What does the disease of addiction mean to me?

Addiction is

compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance

. It is accepted as a mental illness in the diagnostic nomenclature and results in substantial health, social and economic problems.

What are examples of addictive behaviors?

  • Impulse Control and Addictive Behaviors. Impulse control is the ability to fight temptation and stop using. …
  • Lying. Often, people struggling with addiction lie. …
  • Stealing. While in the throes of addiction, people steal as well. …
  • Manipulating. …
  • Obsessing. …
  • Seeking Addiction Treatment.

Can you get addicted to a behavior?

Traditionally, the term “addiction” has been applied to people whose drug or alcohol use has become a serious problem. But today,

many mental health specialists agree that behaviors can be addictive, too

.

Are you born with an addictive personality?

The Genetics Of An Addictive Personality

Research has discovered a link between genetics and someone’s ability to have an addictive personality. Those born to parents who have been addicted to a substance or exhibited a behavioral addiction are more likely to exhibit

addictive

personalities themselves.

What is the moral model?

The ‘moral model’ holds that

the root cause of problematic AOD use is an individual’s inherent moral weakness and lack of will power

. This view has also been applied to particular communities and even races of people. There is no evidence for the perspective.

What is the behavioral model of addiction?

Behavioral addiction is a form of addiction that involves

a compulsion to engage in a rewarding non-substance-related behavior

– sometimes called a natural reward – despite any negative consequences to the person’s physical, mental, social or financial well-being.

Carlos Perez
Author
Carlos Perez
Carlos Perez is an education expert and teacher with over 20 years of experience working with youth. He holds a degree in education and has taught in both public and private schools, as well as in community-based organizations. Carlos is passionate about empowering young people and helping them reach their full potential through education and mentorship.