Chapter 44 Replacing the BDMA: A paradigm shift in the field of addiction
Abstract Is addiction a maladaptive choice or an involuntary compulsion, or some amalgam of the two? This central “puzzle of addiction” has not been solved, despite intensive scientific investigation for over a century and serious consideration by philosophers that began in ancient times. Currently, the dominant Brain Disease Model of Addiction (BDMA) anchors addiction theory […]
Chapter 08, Introduction to Section II
Abstract Section II of the book is devoted to criticisms that have been made of the BDMA. The 15 chapters in this section, some reprinted from previous literature but most original works, offer a collection of arguments that challenge the BDMA on four basic grounds: (i) the BDMA has not produced the benefits for the […]
Chapter 27 Balancing the ethical and methodological pros and cons of the BDMA
Abstract As scientific research is always to some extent value laden, addiction research carries (ethical) implications for science, society and the individual. The brain disease model of addiction (BDMA) narrows down the kinds of questions formulated, the kinds of data produced and utilized, and the types of explanations considered satisfactory. Our chapter provides an overview […]
WHO cross-cultural applicability research on diagnosis and assessment of substance use disorders
A paper by Robin Room et al., 1996 "The attitudes of societies to alcohol and drug use affects the use of criteria and the making of diagnoses." R. Room et al. Abstract "The cross-cultural applicability of criteria for the diagnosis of substance use disorders and of instruments used for their assessment were studied in nine […]
Addiction and the Brain: Development, Not Disease
A paper by Marc Lewis, 2016 "[This analysis] also highlights neural and behavioral parallels between substance addictions, behavioral addictions, normative compulsive behaviors, and falling in love." M. Lewis Abstract "I review the brain disease model of addiction promoted by medical, scientific, and clinical authorities in the US and elsewhere. I then show that the disease […]
What neurobiology cannot tell us about addiction
A paper by Harold Kalant, 2010 "There is abundant evidence that psychological, social, economic and specific situational factors play important roles in initiating addiction..." H. Kalant Abstract "Molecular neurobiological studies have yielded enormous amounts of valuable information about neuronal response mechanisms and their adaptive changes. However, in relation to addiction this information is of limited […]
Q: Is Addiction a Brain Disease or a Moral Failing? A: Neither
A paper by Nick Heather, 2016 "The article concludes by enthusiastically endorsing [Marc] Lewis’ call for a third stage in the governing image of addiction." N. Heather Abstract "This article uses Marc Lewis’ work as a springboard to discuss the socio-political context of the brain disease model of addiction (BDMA). The claim that promotion of […]
Neurobiological research on addiction: What value has it added to the concept?
A paper by Harold Kalant, 2015 "[Neurobiological research] has largely ignored the important experiential and environmental influences known to affect the prevalence of addiction in different populations or different times..." H. Kalant Abstract "The initial goal of neurobiological research on addiction was to identify the neural mechanisms involved in the mediation and expression of addictive […]
Free Will, Black Swans and Addiction
A paper by Ted Fenton & Reinout Wiers, 2016 "... most cases of addiction come as geese in different shades of gray." T. Fenton & R Wiers Abstract "The current dominant perspective on addiction as a brain disease has been challenged recently by Marc Lewis, who argued that the brain-changes related to addiction are similar […]
Substance use and addiction research in India
A paper by Pratima Murthy et al., 2010 "There is disappointingly little research on pharmacological and psychosocial interventions" P. Murthy et al. Abstract "Substance use patterns are notorious for their ability to change over time. Both licit and illicit substance use cause serious public health problems and evidence for the same is now available in […]