An Analysis of Psychological Theories on Substance Abuse and Addiction

This essay explores the psychological or character theory of substance abuse, which posits that addiction stems from psychological factors and personality traits rather than solely biological causes. It defines addiction as a state of dependence and highlights that individuals may turn to drugs due to psychological drivers like stress or character defects, leading to the development of an 'addictive personality.' The essay explains how situational and experiential factors, such as job-related stress or relationship issues, can influence drug use. It also discusses the theory's focus on the interplay between psychological events and their opposites and the varying attitudes toward drug use across different societies and individuals. The essay concludes by explaining why the author chose the psychological theory, emphasizing its incorporation of experiential, situational, and personality factors, and its ability to explain differing levels of addiction. The essay references supporting literature to strengthen its arguments.

Running head: DRUGS AND SUB STANCES ABUSE 1
Theories of substance abuse
Institution
Name

DRUGS AND SUB STANCES ABUSE 2
Introduction
The term addiction has been in use for many centuries. The word originates from
Latin word meaning "to give over into slavery" as the name suggests addiction means,
the state of slavery to drugs, the mostly held assumption that addiction was as a result of
the weakness of character. Drug addiction, also referred to as substance dependence is a
condition where a person feels a strong need to take drugs (Everitt & Robbins, 2016). It
also includes other behaviors like finding it difficult the controlled use of substance and
drugs and the feeling use of the drug to be more important than the ordinary things in the
family or work (Stevens & Smith, 2018). A person usually gets addicted to a specific
class .for example Heroine as a drug is in the Opiate class. Basing on etiological theories
of addiction; this research is about psychological or character
Psychological or character theory of addiction
The theory emphasizes on what drives a person to abuse drugs that lead to
addiction .The theory explains that for one to start using drugs, it must be
psychologically driven rather than biological. The models view everyone to be venerable
to addiction. According to Bobova et, al (2009), a character defect and personality traits
of a person are what causes one to be dependent on drugs and substances. There exists a
level of psychological and personal defects that predisposes a person to the "addictive
personality" traits. It's only through changing of personality is the best solution for
addiction.
The modelling influences are high when an individual is in mind-blowing
situations, for example, job related stress and break up marriages; such a person can
decide to attend a party to relieve stress. Such character will repeat itself depending on

DRUGS AND SUB STANCES ABUSE 3
the cues of the previous experience in drinking. The level of stress and the past drinking
experience are what determine the management of drug and substance use (Sinha, 2008).
Per the theory, drug addiction results when one is not in a position to control the
inner self and also the external influences on drug and substance use (May, 2009). For
example, a person can look for other ways of managing stress apart from abusing drugs
The theory is based on the assumption that for every psychological event (A),
there is an opposite psychological event (B). Through the use of drugs, there is a feeling
of pleasure, but in return, there will be a negative effect during the process of withdrawal
from the same. At the same time a person may avoid the use of the drugs and stay
positive .this differences in attitudes towards drugs to addiction being different from one
society to another and from one person to another.
Why I chose psychological or character theory.
The theory incorporates experiential, situational and not forgetting personality in
describing the pulling factors towards drugs and substance addiction. The theory also
explains the reason behind the difference in levels of addiction in on society to another,
and also from one person to another.

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Reference
Bobova, L., Finn, P. R., Rickert, M. E., & Lucas, J. (2009). Disinhibitory psychopathology and
delay discounting in alcohol dependence: personality and cognitive correlates.
Experimental and clinical psychopharmacology, 17(1), 51.
Davies, J. B. (2013). Myth of addiction. Routledge.
Everitt, B. J., & Robbins, T. W. (2016). Drug addiction: updating actions to habits to
compulsions ten years on. Annual review of psychology, 67, 23-50.
May, G.G. (2009). Addiction and Grace:Love and Spirituality in the Healing of
Addiction.SanFrancisco: Harper
Sinha, R. (2008). Chronic stress, drug use, and vulnerability to addiction. Annals of the new
York Academy of Sciences, 1141(1), 105-130.
Stevens, P. & Smith, R.L. (2018) Substance Abuse Counseling –Theory and Practice (6th
Edition).