Addiction Concept

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1. Concepts, theories and approaches in the study of the addiction phenomenon
1.1 The concept of addiction
While there are many working definitions of addiction, the essence of the construct has remained elusive. Consequently, addiction remains still an imprecise concept or phenomenon (Shaffer, 1999). Approaching the twenty-first century, many important addiction-related issues remain therefore unresolved.
In many ways, current definitions incorporate only the most superficial levels of our understandings of addiction. It seems that researchers and clinicians alike are still uncertain about what they mean by the concept of addiction. However, in general, the term addiction is often synonymous with (substance) dependence.
In the absence of an …show more content…
The term addiction is often commonly used. Many dislike this term because it can convey physical forces that compel the individual to be out of control, and can imply a pre-determined individual condition, divorced from the environment (Gossop, 1996). Considerable confusion exists also regarding the nature of addiction. It is critically important to understand the meaning of this term because of its clinical relevance to the management of addiction.
The World Health Organisation (WHO, 1957) defined drug addiction as a state of periodic or chronic intoxication, detrimental to the individual and to society, produced by repeated consumption of a drug (natural or synthetic). Its characteristics include: 1/ an overpowering desire or need (compulsion) to continue taking the drug and to obtain it by any means; 2/ a tendency to increase the dose; and 3/ a psychic (psychological) and sometimes physical dependence on the effects of the drug. Within this definition some drugs (e.g. heroin) are physically addictive, and there is a potential for most other drugs for psychological …show more content…
Psychic dependence, as defined here, is central to the manifestations of drug abuse that were formerly called addiction.
Jaffe totally avoided the term dependence. As defined by Jaffe (1980), drug addiction is a behavioural pattern of drug use, characterized by overwhelming involvement with the use of a drug (compulsive use), the securing of its supply and a high tendency to relapse after withdrawal. In addition, it is characterized by craving, withdrawal and tolerance.
In recent years, the concept of addiction has not only a biological component precipitated from substance abuse, but also includes cultural, social, and cognitive or psychological influences. It represents a pattern of coping through habituation. Rather than being a distinct disease entity, it is regarded more or less as a continuum of feeling and
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