What Biological, Psychological and Social Facts Underlie Addiction ?
What biological, psychological and social facts underlie Addiction ?
Clinical health psychology can be defined as the study of psychological and behavioral processes in health and illnesses. In other words health psychology is a branch of study that examines the interrelationship between biology, social factors and behaviour. A health psychologist is interested to know more about the person with the disease, to understand the educational or socioeconomic background, the behaviour that may influence the disease, like compliance for taking medication and the biological reason for the disease. Health psychology might be best explain with the concept of different addictions. The purpose of this essay is to determinate the biological, psychological and social factors that underline addiction and the interrelationship between the factors.
Differences exist among cultural groups across time in their laws and attitudes to drinking and drug use, for example the Netherlands a country where the use of cannabis is not a criminal offence, in this case the consumption decreased since the 1970s, according to Nadelman, (1989). A country’s legal position in relation to substance use can influence the individual consumption , the restriction for example can increase the use of substance because is forbidden and for some persons the excitement and risk may attract them towards this activity. “Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences.” (National Institute on Drug Abuse , NIDA), more over there are three definitional categories for addiction: a disease, self-choice and self-medication. (Mind the brain[online]). However science suggests that alcoholism and addiction are anything but simple phenomenon, they appeal to be multifactorial in origin, stemming from pharmacological, biological, psychological and social factors. From biological point of view, the addiction is seen as
Clinical health psychology can be defined as the study of psychological and behavioral processes in health and illnesses. In other words health psychology is a branch of study that examines the interrelationship between biology, social factors and behaviour. A health psychologist is interested to know more about the person with the disease, to understand the educational or socioeconomic background, the behaviour that may influence the disease, like compliance for taking medication and the biological reason for the disease. Health psychology might be best explain with the concept of different addictions. The purpose of this essay is to determinate the biological, psychological and social factors that underline addiction and the interrelationship between the factors.
Differences exist among cultural groups across time in their laws and attitudes to drinking and drug use, for example the Netherlands a country where the use of cannabis is not a criminal offence, in this case the consumption decreased since the 1970s, according to Nadelman, (1989). A country’s legal position in relation to substance use can influence the individual consumption , the restriction for example can increase the use of substance because is forbidden and for some persons the excitement and risk may attract them towards this activity. “Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences.” (National Institute on Drug Abuse , NIDA), more over there are three definitional categories for addiction: a disease, self-choice and self-medication. (Mind the brain[online]). However science suggests that alcoholism and addiction are anything but simple phenomenon, they appeal to be multifactorial in origin, stemming from pharmacological, biological, psychological and social factors. From biological point of view, the addiction is seen as
References: Bandura, A.(1997a) Social learning Theory , New York , Prentice Hall. Bandura, A.(1997b) ‘Self-efficacy :Towards a unifying theory of behavioural change’Psychological Review, 84 , 191-215. Griffin, J., Tyrrell,I., Winn,D McMurran, M. (1994). The Psychology of Addiction. London; Taylor & Francis . Richards,D., Clark,T,. Clarke,C.(2007). The Human Brain and its disorders . Oxford: Oxford University Press. Thombs, D., L Abrams,D,B., and Niaura ,R,S. (1987) ‘Social learning theory’, in Blane,H.T and Leonard ,K.E(Eds) Psychological Theories of Drinking and Alcoholism, New York, The Guilford Press. Bandura, A.(1997a) Social learning Theory , New York , Prentice Hall. Bandura, A.(1997b) ‘Self-efficacy :Towards a unifying theory of behavioural change’Psychological Review, 84 , 191-215. Goldstein,A Griffin, J., Tyrrell,I., Winn,D. (2005) ‘Freedom from Addiction’ The secret behind successful addiction busting.Great Britain : HG Publishing. McMurran, M. (1994). The Psychology of Addiction. London; Taylor & Francis . Richards,D., Clark,T,. Clarke,C.(2007). The Human Brain and its disorders . Oxford: Oxford University Press. Teessons, M., Degenhardt, L., Hall,W Thombs, D., L. (1994) Introduction to Addictive Behaviours . New York : The Guilford Press.