THEORETICAL MODELS OF ADDICTION
STUDY GUIDE TEST PAPER QUESTIONS
AND SOLUTIONS GRADED APLUS
●● Biopsychosocial model
Answer: There are a wide variety of reasons why people start and
continue to use substances. This model provides the most
comprehensive explanation for the complex nature of substance abuse
disorders. It incorporates hereditary predisposition, emotional and
psychological problems, social influences, and environmental problems
●● Medical model
Answer: Addiction is considered a chronic, progressive, relapsing, and
potentially fatal medical disease.
Genetic causes: inherited vulnerability to addiction, particularly
alcoholism
Brain reward mechanisms: substances act on parts of the brain that
reinforce continued use by producing pleasurable feelings
Altered brain chemistry: habitual use of substances alters brain
chemistry and continued use of substances is required to avoid feeling
discomfort from brain imbalance.
, ●● Self-medication model
Answer: Substances relieve symptoms of a psychiatric disorder and
continued use is reinforced by relief from symptoms.
●● Family and environmental model
Answer: Explanation for substance abuse can be found in family and
environmental factors such as behaviors shaped by family and peers,
personality factors, physical and sexual abuse, disorganized
communities, and school factors
●● Social model
Answer: Drug use is learned and reinforced from others who serve as
role models. A potential substance abuser shares the same values and
activities as those who use substances. There are no controls that prevent
use of substances. Social, economic, and political factors, such as
racism, poverty, sexism, and so on, contribute to the cause.
●● SWs working with substance-using clients must...
Answer: Address substance abuse problem before other
psychotherapeutic issues.
Rule out symptoms being related to substance use before attributing
them to a psychiatric issue.
STUDY GUIDE TEST PAPER QUESTIONS
AND SOLUTIONS GRADED APLUS
●● Biopsychosocial model
Answer: There are a wide variety of reasons why people start and
continue to use substances. This model provides the most
comprehensive explanation for the complex nature of substance abuse
disorders. It incorporates hereditary predisposition, emotional and
psychological problems, social influences, and environmental problems
●● Medical model
Answer: Addiction is considered a chronic, progressive, relapsing, and
potentially fatal medical disease.
Genetic causes: inherited vulnerability to addiction, particularly
alcoholism
Brain reward mechanisms: substances act on parts of the brain that
reinforce continued use by producing pleasurable feelings
Altered brain chemistry: habitual use of substances alters brain
chemistry and continued use of substances is required to avoid feeling
discomfort from brain imbalance.
, ●● Self-medication model
Answer: Substances relieve symptoms of a psychiatric disorder and
continued use is reinforced by relief from symptoms.
●● Family and environmental model
Answer: Explanation for substance abuse can be found in family and
environmental factors such as behaviors shaped by family and peers,
personality factors, physical and sexual abuse, disorganized
communities, and school factors
●● Social model
Answer: Drug use is learned and reinforced from others who serve as
role models. A potential substance abuser shares the same values and
activities as those who use substances. There are no controls that prevent
use of substances. Social, economic, and political factors, such as
racism, poverty, sexism, and so on, contribute to the cause.
●● SWs working with substance-using clients must...
Answer: Address substance abuse problem before other
psychotherapeutic issues.
Rule out symptoms being related to substance use before attributing
them to a psychiatric issue.
