Alcohol Addiction Flashcards
Pros cognitive theory + self medication
A useful explanation of alcohol addiction because it suggests that if problems are relieved (reduce stress/anxiety) then the addiction should improve e.g. change job then reliance on alcohol should reduce.
o It is an ethical model because it does not blame the individual for their addiction, only the situations. However, this could be problematic too when the individual does not take personal responsibility for their actions.
Cons cognitive + self medication
Fails to explain the initiation of addiction when people do not have a current problem or stressor, suggesting that this is not a complete explanation of addiction.
o Cause and effect is a limitation of the model. It is unclear whether current problems e.g. job/relationship have caused the alcohol problem or whether the alcohol problem has caused the ‘problems’ in life e.g. job/relationship.
o It is too simplistic and fails to take into account other factors that may have caused addiction e.g. may be a biological factors inherited from parents who drink e.g. a genetic predisposition to drink alcohol.
Pros learning approach
Alcohol addiction can be treated successfully using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) suggesting that there are elements of both learning & cognitive approaches which contribute to addiction.
• Skinner’s findings showed the powerful nature of positive reinforcement on behaviour suggesting that it does contribute to behaviours like addiction HOWEVER it might be that we cannot extrapolate findings from animals to humans.
• Aversion Therapy is used effectively to treat alcohol addiction & this is based on breaking the association between alcohol and positive consequences, suggesting that conditioning is a factor in alcohol addiction.
Cons learning
Operant conditioning is a simplistic theory that does not take into account individual differences e.g. some people can control their drinking, whereas others cannot.
• Both explanations do not account for genetic elements of addiction e.g. Vink et al (2003) found 44% of addiction to substances are down to genetic factors, suggesting that a genetic predisposition may contribute to addiction.
• Biological Approaches might better explain drinking behaviour because an individual may inherit the tendency to become an alcohol addict from a parent.
