The article “New Definition of Addiction Causing Controversy Among Doctors” basically gives a broader explanation of what addiction is. The article explains addiction as a chronic brain disorder and this definition of addiction is different from the one that is assumed by others which is that it is simply a behavioural problem involved with the excessive use of drugs (Miller, 2010). Different scholars have their own opinion in regards to this definition that was put forward by the American Society of addiction Medicine (ASAM). In our case, we will look at two different articles and the position they take in regards to this new definition of what addiction is.
The first article we will look at is “Redefining Addiction: Controversy Among Doctors.” This article basically looks at the new definition as provided by ASAM and goes further to provide evidence in order to ascertain the correctness of the definition. The article supports the definition provided, that is, addiction is a chronic disease and provides evidence to prove this through research. According to the author of the article, the chronic brain disease tends to develop from physical abnormalities in the reward circuitry of the brain. To narrow this down, it is a result of differences in the manner in which the brain communicates about emotional response, memory, and pleasure ("Addiction Now Defined As Brain Disorder, Not Behavior Problem", 2011). The article points out that there are abnormalities that would be observed in the brain of an addict that has been put on a CAT scan. The article therefore is in support of the new definition of addiction provided by ASAM.
The second article “Addiction Now Defined As Brain Disorder, Not Behaviour Problem” also is supportive of the new definition of addiction. The article is in agreement that addiction ought to be redefined by what is going on in the brain. According to research, addiction tends to affect the reward circuitry of the brain in such a way that memories of past experiences with sex, food, and drugs tend to trigger cravings and more addictive behaviours ("Redefining Addiction: Controversy Among Doctors | Addiction.com", 2011). Addiction also changes the brain circuitry governing impulse control and judgment may also be changed, thus resulting in the nonsensical pursuit of rewards. This view that has been reflected in the article shows support for the definition of addiction given by Miller.
Several models can be developed from Miller’s statement. For instance, the new definition of statement and these models include the social education, temperance, psychological, moral, and disease prototype model. Among the above stated models, the disease prototype model seems to be more evident and in this case, the progression and sustainability of the disease notable. Even though the other models are only partially notable, they still are in existence and as a matter of fact they are all different from each other. The differences arise due to the effects they have on an individual that is addicted or rather in the way they affect the addicts. Despite there being differences between the models, it is possible to draw a relationship between the models. The main relationship that exists between them is that they all tend to explain the same problem of addiction. It is evident that other models tend to explain an aspect that another model is not able to explain in regards to addiction. For example the disease prototype model tends to explain how one is affects health wise while the social model tends to elaborate on the social effect presented on the addict. As such, one model is seen to be closely related to another since they all provide explanations for certain occurrences in regards to addiction.
References
Miller, G. (2010). Learning the language of addiction counselling. New York, NY: Wiley.
Redefining Addiction: Controversy Among Doctors | Addiction.com. (2011). Addiction.com. Retrieved 13 March 2016, from https://www.addiction.com/3331/redefining-addiction/
Addiction Now Defined As Brain Disorder, Not Behavior Problem. (2011). LiveScience.com. Retrieved 13 March 2016, from http://www.livescience.com/15563-addiction-defined-brain-disease.html
