Health and Human Behavior 

Discussion – What Explains Addiction?

Substance abuse is a complex personal and social problem that defies any one explanation. Over time, various models have been advanced to try to explain why some people become addicted to substances. While there is no universal agreement as to which model best explains addiction for everyone, we can debate which model offers the most likely and useful perspective for understanding addiction and how to approach treatment. 

For this week’s discussion, do the following:

• -Read the PowerPoint slides and handouts in the folder for Week 7.
• -Select two (2) models that you believe best explain why people become addicted to drugs and describe why you selected them. What about them makes sense to you? Do you agree with their recovery approach?
• -Then, select one (1) model that you believe is the poorest at explaining addiction. Describe why you think the model is insufficient or even wrong at accounting for addiction or its approach to recovery.

  At least 275 words in length. No formal APA citations are required unless you chose to cite a source. 

Required Texts: Sarafino, E.P. & Smith, T.W. (2017). Health Psychology: Biopsychosocial Interactions, 9th ed.Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons