PSY 200 Module 5-1 Discussion: Seven Models

Personal Definition of Addiction:As someone who has personally observed several individuals suffering from addiction, I would define addiction as a medical condition that emphasizes the intensity of the physical side effects. Before learning about the Disease Theory of Addiction, my view on the matter seemed to correspond with the National Institute of Drug Abuse’s definition, describing addiction as “a chronic relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use” (NIDA, 2012). To put it simply, addiction should be diagnosed based on the physical attributes in terms of withdrawal and side effects.

Overview of Jellinek’s Model of Addiction:In the early 1960s, E.M. Jellinek, a physiologist and alcoholism researcher, developed the disease model of addiction, which originated from the theory of addiction. The fundamental concept behind the theory of addiction asserts that addiction is a disease. Jellinek’s view of addiction categorized alcoholism as a medical disease composed of common phases that an alcoholic or frequent drinker would endure. These stages are:

• Pre-alcoholic Phase: In this initial stage, drinkers typically develop a tolerance for alcohol during social gatherings, also known as social drinking.
• Prodromal Phase: This stage involves the onset of blackouts and an increase in secretive drinking habits. Drinkers begin to consume alcohol alone and frequently think about it, while their tolerance continues to grow.
• Crucial Phase: At this stage, the individual’s self-control deteriorates, and they begin to lose control over their drinking habits.
• Chronic Phase: In the final stage, drinking becomes a daily occurrence and the primary concern in life, often leading to severe health and social consequences.

Overview of the Moral Model of Addiction:The Moral Model of Addiction focuses on whether the individual experiences feelings of shame, which are considered essential for understanding human addiction and the motivation behind addictive behavior. During the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, addiction was viewed as a sin, and individuals struggling with addiction were considered morally weak. Under this model, addiction was seen as a fault of one’s character, and punishments such as whippings, public beatings, fines, and spiritual direction were common treatments. The moral model emphasizes personal responsibility and the belief that addiction is caused by a failure to make morally correct choices.

Comparing/Contrasting the Disease Model and the Moral Model:The most distinct variations between Jellinek’s Disease Model of Addiction and the Moral Model of Addiction lie in the outcome and cause of addiction according to each model.

• Disease Model of Addiction: This model views addiction as a physical medical disease characterized by specific symptoms and requiring specialized medical treatment. It emphasizes the physical outcomes of addiction, such as withdrawal and long-term damage.
• Moral Model of Addiction: This model considers addiction to be a result of moral failure, asserting that addiction is caused by an individual’s inability to make morally correct choices. Recovery, according to this model, involves strengthening one’s willpower and moral resolve to resist temptation.

References:

• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). (2012). Addiction is a Chronic Disease. Retrieved from https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/what-we-do/nih-almanac/national-institute-drug-abuse-nida
• Disease Theory of Alcoholism | Dual Diagnosis. (2014). Dual Diagnosis. Retrieved from https://dualdiagnosis.org/alcohol-addiction/disease-theory-alcoholism/
• Pickard, H., Ahmed, S. H., & Foddy, B. (2015). Alternative models of addiction. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 6, 20. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2015.00020
• Velten, E. (2002). A History of Addiction & Recovery in the United States. International Journal of Drug Policy, 13(6), 515–516.