How does the disease model explain addiction?

The disease model of addiction posits that addiction functions as a chronic illness, similar to diseases such as diabetes or heart disease. This model emphasizes that addiction is caused by unhealthy neuro-chemical processes in the brain that can significantly alter an individual’s behavior and decision-making abilities.

Understanding addiction through this lens highlights the biological factors that contribute to how individuals become dependent on substances. It recognizes that repeated substance use can lead to neuro-adaptive changes in brain structure and function, driving compulsive behavior and making it exceedingly challenging to cease use without proper treatment. This model underscores the significance of neurological influences, such as genetic predisposition and brain chemistry, in the development and persistence of addiction.

In contrast, other options involve interpretations of addiction that do not align fully with the disease model. For example, viewing addiction as a learned behavior suggests that it can be unlearned through behavioral changes, which does not account for the complex biological factors at play. Similarly, framing addiction as a symptom of larger psychological issues implies a secondary disorder rather than a primary illness caused by neuro-chemical imbalances. Lastly, considering addiction as a social construct overlooks the tangible physiological aspects that manifest in individuals struggling with addiction. Thus, the disease model provides a comprehensive understanding by framing addiction as fundamentally rooted