After finishing this chapter, students should be able to understand:
The view of addiction has changed over the past 30 years and is now based on a behavioral definition; it is also applied to a wider variety of drugs and other activities.
There is evidence that addiction may be influenced by genetics, biochemistry, personality, experience, and social context, but none of these factors can be called the sole cause of addiction. This idea is referred to as a biopsychosocial perspective on addiction.
The DSM-IV diagnosis of substance dependence relies partly on tolerance and physical dependence, whereas the diagnosis of substance abuse uses behavioral indicators of excessive involvement.
The addict's decision to seek treatment may involve a series of cognitive stages of change.
Treatment is often divided into the three stages of detoxification, active treatment, and aftercare.
Therapeutic communities are usually staffed by former substance abusers, and clients generally remain in them for several months.
Outpatient drug-free programs are often associated with community mental health centers and employ trained counselors, psychologists, or social workers.
Chemical-dependence residential programs also tend to employ former substance abusers, but treatment is usually limited to three to eight weeks.
A variety of new medical approaches are being developed to treat addicts.
