Impulse control disorders and non-substance addictive disorder

Question 1

Strengths of Griffiths (2005) definition of addiction

Answer 1

-It has comprehensive definitions with objective criteria. This makes it pretty clear whether or not an individual is an addict as they have to exhibit all 6 components. This can help with the diagnosis
-Individuals (and their families/colleagues) having knowledge of these components can self-diagnose putting them in a position to acknowledge their problem and seek help
-Clear diagnosis using these 6 components can lead to appropriate treatment or modification techniques and also the ability to recognise when relapse has occurred
-By classifying all addictions in the same way, whether substance or non-substance, the essential elements of what constitutes addiction can be better researched
-This model supports the growing body of research that points to the similarities present in all types of addictions

Question 2

Weaknesses of Griffiths (2005) definition of addiction

Answer 2

-Possible lack of validity / individual differences. Someone engaging in a potentially addictive behaviour may not have experienced all of the components (e.g. relapse, as they have not yet tried to reduce the behaviour) but this would not necessarily mean they are not an addict
-Components rely partly on the subjective experience of the individual who may still not wish to recognise their addiction and so deny it
-It does not explain why someone becomes addicted and another person does not. Why, for example, might one person play a slot machine for 30 minutes one day (experiencing the ‘high’) and not do so again for years, but another person with the same experience finds themselves thinking about it all the time
-Many would argue that to describe non-substance addiction in the same way as substance addiction is incorrect because there has to be a physiological aspect to withdrawal and this does not occur without a substance