Chapter 42 Looping processes in the development of and desistance from addictive behaviors

Abstract

Traditionally each branch of science has developed their theories of addiction within their fortresses. The integration of research results has, therefore, remained meagre, causing fragmentation and confusion about this concept and the leading models explaining it.

This chapter aims to increase cross-disciplinary integration in this area by focusing on the loopings within and between different levels of phenomena in the production of and desistance from these problem behaviors. To illustrate typical factors and processes predisposing people to addictive behaviors, it starts from the dynamics of interacting external sociocultural and psychological factors and their loopings with group and individual vulnerabilities.

A simple working model of the vicious circle of addiction in an individual is then presented to show how addictive behavior becomes increasingly difficult to change and to indicate some points where to intervene to get rid of the compulsion. The chapter ends by delineating common ways to recovery and some measures to prevent addictions.

Author

Anja Koski-Jännes - ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7365-596X

Book

Evaluating the Brain Disease Model of Addiction is available from: