COGNITIVE MODELS OF ADDICTION
THE SELF-MEDICATION MODEL OF ADDICTION
AO1-
INITIATION
Individuals intentionally use drugs to treat psychological symptoms from which they suffer.
The addict selects the drug – they select one that is perceived as helping a specific problem
(e.g. alcohol → increased confidence).
Initiation of drug use, + choice of drug depends on the specific effect that the individual
desires.
MAINTENANCE
Individuals think the drug is managing the problem so continue the addiction.
RELAPSE
The individual may relapse if they cannot find an alternative way to solve the psychological
problems they are suffering from – believe the drug is the only way to solve the problem so the
AO2 –
RESEARCH – Sanjuan (2009)
POINT – supports the self-medication model of addiction.
EVIDENCE – found that sexually abused women were more likely to turn to alcohol
+ other drugs to remove sexual inhibitions than were non-abused women.
EXPALIN – supports because it shows how some form of psychological distress (the
sexual abuse) precedes drug use, as the self-medication theory suggests.
EVALUATE – weakness – limited sample – only used women (gender bias) + only
focused on sexual abuse – lacks population validity – may be difficult to generalise
findings beyond the study to males and to those with other psychological distresses
– weakens research support.
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APPROACH – cognitive
STATE – takes the cognitive approach to psychology.
EXPLAIN – this approach explains behaviour as being the result of information processing.
RELATE – takes this approach because it explains addiction as being the result of the way
people think of their problems + attempt to resolve them.
EVALUATE – weakness – this approach underplays the huge variations between people in
how they think + act – it can’t explain why not all people with psychological distress
become addicts.
THE SELF-MEDICATION MODEL OF ADDICTION
AO1-
INITIATION
Individuals intentionally use drugs to treat psychological symptoms from which they suffer.
The addict selects the drug – they select one that is perceived as helping a specific problem
(e.g. alcohol → increased confidence).
Initiation of drug use, + choice of drug depends on the specific effect that the individual
desires.
MAINTENANCE
Individuals think the drug is managing the problem so continue the addiction.
RELAPSE
The individual may relapse if they cannot find an alternative way to solve the psychological
problems they are suffering from – believe the drug is the only way to solve the problem so the
AO2 –
RESEARCH – Sanjuan (2009)
POINT – supports the self-medication model of addiction.
EVIDENCE – found that sexually abused women were more likely to turn to alcohol
+ other drugs to remove sexual inhibitions than were non-abused women.
EXPALIN – supports because it shows how some form of psychological distress (the
sexual abuse) precedes drug use, as the self-medication theory suggests.
EVALUATE – weakness – limited sample – only used women (gender bias) + only
focused on sexual abuse – lacks population validity – may be difficult to generalise
findings beyond the study to males and to those with other psychological distresses
– weakens research support.
↓
↓
APPROACH – cognitive
STATE – takes the cognitive approach to psychology.
EXPLAIN – this approach explains behaviour as being the result of information processing.
RELATE – takes this approach because it explains addiction as being the result of the way
people think of their problems + attempt to resolve them.
EVALUATE – weakness – this approach underplays the huge variations between people in
how they think + act – it can’t explain why not all people with psychological distress
become addicts.
