The term addiction is commonly alluded in the day-to-day conversations between individuals; yet, not much thought is given on what the construct actually means. Addiction does not just happen overnight, but rather is a process that takes time to develop. It is supposedly being said that the best way to formulate and understand addiction is by utilizing a career approach. The six core components of addiction are; salience, mood modification, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, conflict and relapse. Overall, addiction remains a construct which is still not completely understood as it is still being seen as a disease and thus, it cannot be entirely tackled.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Phases of the Addictive Career
2.1 Onset
2.2 Escalation
2.3 Commitment
2.4 Desistance
3. The Four Models of Addiction and Potential Interventions
3.1 Disease and Choice Model
3.2 Biological Construct
3.3 Psychological Construct
3.4 Sociological Construct
4. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This assignment explores the development of the "addictive career" in young people, analyzing how addictive behaviors evolve over time and examining the various theoretical frameworks that explain this progression. The work aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the transition from experimentation to full-blown addiction, while evaluating potential interventions at different stages.
- Theoretical models of addiction development (Disease, Biological, Psychological, Sociological).
- Stages of the addictive career: Onset, Escalation, Commitment, and Desistance.
- Peer influence and environmental factors in adolescent addiction.
- Public health implications and local context (specifically in Malta).
- Professional intervention strategies and prevention measures.
Excerpt from the Book
Phases of the Addictive Career
Addiction does not just happen overnight, but rather is a process that takes time to develop (Moss & Dyer, 2010; Hartney, 2019a). It is supposedly being said that the best way to formulate and understand addiction is by utilizing a career approach; similarly, to the one adopted to criminal behaviour (Clark, 2006). Through this approach, addictive behaviours occur along points on a continuum; which is not necessarily always a linear process. This is because an individual who is at stage one of the career, does not automatically mean that the individual will also engage in stage four (Clark, 2011). An addictive career has four stages, these being; onset, escalation, commitment and desistance (Clark, 2006; Clark, 2011). These stages represent the beginning (i.e. onset) and the end (i.e. desistance) of the addictive career, as well as the career length in between (Clark, 2011).
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: This chapter defines the construct of addiction, tracing its evolution from a narrow focus on substance-related disorders to a broader understanding that encompasses behavioral addictions.
Phases of the Addictive Career: This section delineates the four specific stages of an addictive career—onset, escalation, commitment, and desistance—to illustrate that addiction is a developmental process rather than a sudden event.
The Four Models of Addiction and Potential Interventions: This chapter examines how the Disease and Choice, Biological, Psychological, and Sociological models explain addiction and proposes intervention strategies tailored to these different perspectives.
Conclusion: This final section synthesizes the discussed models and emphasizes the necessity for continued awareness and research to effectively prevent and address adolescent addiction.
Keywords
Addictive career, addiction, adolescent, substance abuse, behavioral addiction, onset, escalation, commitment, desistance, disease model, biological construct, psychological construct, sociological construct, prevention, intervention.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper examines the developmental process of addiction in young people, utilizing a "career approach" to explain how behaviors transition from initial experimentation to chronic dependence.
What are the central themes discussed?
The key themes include the staged progression of addiction, the diverse theoretical models that explain why individuals become addicted, and the role of environment, biology, and psychology in this process.
What is the core research goal?
The goal is to understand the "addictive career" trajectory and identify effective intervention points, particularly for adolescents, to prevent the escalation of addictive behaviors.
Which methodologies are utilized?
The author performs a literature-based theoretical analysis, integrating various academic perspectives, psychiatric manuals, and statistical reports to construct a comprehensive view of addiction.
What does the main body cover?
The main body breaks down the progression of addiction into four stages (onset, escalation, commitment, desistance) and analyzes four distinct models of addiction: Disease and Choice, Biological, Psychological, and Sociological.
Which keywords characterize this work?
The work is defined by terms such as "addictive career," "adolescent," "behavioral addiction," "theoretical models," and "prevention strategies."
How does the "Sociological Construct" model specifically apply to the Maltese context?
The author highlights how local cultural norms, high alcohol availability, and common social behaviors in Malta expose young people to alcohol consumption at an early age, increasing their risk of addiction.
Why is the concept of "early-onset" particularly concerning?
Early-onset, defined as developing addictive behaviors at age thirteen or younger, is a critical risk factor that significantly increases the likelihood of an individual continuing down the addictive career path.
- Citation du texte
- Kimberley Bartolo (Auteur), 2019, The Process of the Development of the Addictive Career. Young People and Addictive Behaviour, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/501530
