Addiction And Comparitive Behavior Analysis

The three different views of addiction consist of immoral conduct, disease, and maladaptive behavior. When reading Thombs & Osborn, the way how an addiction was seen as sin took me by surprise. Although in the early years of school I learned about the health concerns of addictions, seeing an addiction as a sin was not talked about. The way an addiction was seen as a sin took me by surprise because it is not something an individual can control unless he or she has the will power. Yet, the way the immoral conduct comprises of punishment through various legal enforcements create injustices. Once an addict gets into the legal system he or she will likely will be kept in the system, also called the revolving door. Furthermore, it was intriguing
to learn that the immoral conduct model depicts an addict as the culprit of their addiction while the maladaptive behavior model depicts an addict as the victim. The maladaptive behavior model illustrates how an addict has a difficult time with their addiction due to stressors, thus creating a pattern of destructive behaviors. Similarly, the disease model demonstrate that the addict is the victim due to lack of control based on genetic factors consisting of health related issues.
However, to me, viewing an addiction as a disease makes sense in certain aspect due to how it relates to various psychological aspects. Addicts tend to falsely believe that the substance will make them feel better, thus using the substance as a means to escape a problem. Yet, the abusing substances does the opposite creating damages to relationships, job loss, and even health problems. Additionally, I agree that many individuals feel at fault while alcoholic companies abstain from taking any blame. Alcoholic companies could easily raise their prices or deter from advertising on billboards or television their products. Although the disease model relates to genetic factors, I believe it would depend on the severity of the illness as to whether one would lose control or have cravings. However, the problem with the disease model is attempting to differentiate individuals who have an illness versus those that drink to feel intoxicated. Overall, all the models demonstrate the various views on addiction that tend to affect the way society sees addiction.
Moreover, Thombs and Osborn (2013) depict the eight concept of a good theory such as cohesiveness and coherent, comprehensible, explaining observations, explicit, comprehensive, necessary concept, predictions, and does not contradict to any empirical evidence. One of the attributes to a good theory includes explanation of observations. The observations in a good theory makes sure to address the how and why somethings is occurring. The attribute of observation in a good theory can be used to explain and understand the meaning of concepts. Also, a good theory needs to last long and be able to develop even with contradicting evidence. Furthermore, a good theory has to be concise, simple, and consistent in order to prevent confusion and to have an operational definition. Also, a good theory develops data that may be used for predictions or to develop more questions. In general, a good theory goes through many steps and can go through alterations. Nonetheless, there are multiple theories about genetics in the development of alcohol and drug dependence.
There is evidence that genetic plays a role in the development of alcohol and drug dependence through environmental factors. The environmental factors that play a role in genetic in addiction pertains to risk factors. According to Thomas and Osborn (2013), the genetic-environmental interaction consists of various sources of risk factors such as stress, economic hardship, family, and surrounding oneself with substance users. Additionally, Dick and Agrawal (2008) illustrate that individuals that share the same gene are more likely to be at risk for alcohol and drug dependence based on a twin study. However, society demonstrate that if one family members is an alcoholic another member may be at risk. In this case, the gene in one member can within another member, however, individuals may need to go through testing in order to determine if genetic is a factor that is contributing to an addiction. Additionally, genetics plays a role in determining alcohol or drug dependence through a wide range of genes instead of a single gene. Genes play a role in drug dependence but it is not deterministic or the sole reason an individual struggle with an
addiction.
In addition to genes, public health plays a significant role in attempting to find the reason of addictions, as well as, the attempt to address addictions.
Public health focuses more on preventing health problems while medicine focuses on making an individual feel better consisting care. In this case, one is more of a collectivist concept while the other is individualistic. The public health is more about educating individuals about diseases in order to prevent further outbreaks. Medicine focuses mainly on individuals while public health focuses on the community consisting of larger population. Furthermore, public health focuses on advocating social policies, as well as, public policies. On the other hand, medicine focuses on diagnosing and treatment based on the medical care needed by the patient. Both the public health and medicine are vital to our society for the well-being of individuals and society as a
whole.
Furthermore, there are many roles that the medical community partake in order to prevent and treat substance abuse such as educating the public and providing interventions. The interventions used in communities can range from changing state or local laws, town meetings, educating adults and teens about substance abuse, and the consequences for abusing drugs. To me, educating adults and teens about substance abuse and the consequence can have a direct impact which can alter an individual's behavior and perception about drugs. The medical community aid individuals that abuse substances to decline their use or to keep individuals from using drugs. Overall, the community seeks to reduce risk factors through connectedness and empowering individuals.