Philosophical Approaches to Addiction

Etiology (causes), Treatment Methods, & Recovery

What is philosophy?

Philosophy is the branch of knowledge or academic study devoted to a systematic examination of basic concepts such as truth, existence, reality, causality, and freedom. It is a system of thought or doctrine, a set of basic principles or concepts underlying a particular sphere of knowledge, a set of beliefs, principles, or aims.

Now, take a moment to think about how complicated the whole issue of addictions really is, whether it is different drugs, alcohol, or addictive behaviors, and of course how to help those people who are addicted to "something." How do we learn how to see the big picture of addictions, to know how to help ourselves, and others?

If you were to try to write everything down, or put it on a map for people to figure a way out of their particular mess, and how to get to a "state of recovery" (Freedomville), how would you do it? Is recovery at point on a map or is it a life-long process? Clearly to answer these kinds of questions we will need to begin by forming our own basic philosophy of addictions. One way of creating a personal understanding is to look at the major philosophies of addictions that have been identified by others.

Understanding begins with a basic Philosophy of life.

You might start by trying to identify the major Philosophical Principles of Addiction. These would be comprehensive and inclusive approaches that attempt to provide a complete solution or try to explain as many aspects of addiction as possible. A philosophical principle is like a big umbrella that has a lot of other stuff underneath. A philosophy about addiction provides you with a way of understanding all the different aspects of addiction according to each particular philosophy.

Some of the major ones are: Process Theory, Biopsychosocial, Harm Reduction, Medical Model, and Spirituality which includes: 12 Step fellowships and a general acceptance of humans as both physical and spiritual in nature. Each of these general categories forms ways of the understanding the addiction process - that is: how a person becomes addicted to a substance or behavior, and how they can be helped to overcome their unhealthy actions.

• Process Theory

• Biopsychosocial Theory

• Harm Reduction

• Medical Model

• Spirituality

Treatment Perspectives

A Treatment Perspective is a specific way of looking at a particular aspect of an addiction issue. It does not attempt to explain everything (like a philosophy), or answer all the questions. It is an evaluation of a situation or facts, especially from one particular point of view. A treatment perspective can be more general and look at a number of factors like the five major life areas, or can have a narrower focus such as looking at the fear of making life changes.

Transtheoretical Model of Change

The transtheoretical model of change is a way of looking at how people make changes in their lives. It tries to understand the process of change in a way that transcends or includes the various philosophical models of addiction. From an addictions perspective it includes various stages such as:

• Pre-comtemplation,

• Comtemplation,

• Preparation/Determination,

• Action (Planning and carrying out new behaviors),

• Maintenance (sustaining recovery),

• Relapse (a return to substance use or addictive behaviors), and

• "Permanent" exit (moving on from recovery to discovery).

Treatment Techniques and Action Plans

Treatment techniques and action plans are all the specific worksheets, counseling sessions, participation on a bulletin board, talking in a chat room, attending meetings, doing positive things, - basically all the little healthy stages and steps that can facilitate a person moving from a state of addiction through a process of recovery.

Relapse Prevention Planning

Relapse prevention planning is a process of creating protective factors such as: learning new skills, identifying supportive community relationships, and practicing how to avoid situations that may cause to person to return to substance use or other unhealthy behaviors. Relapse prevention planning can also include looking at past incidents of relapse and figuring out what caused the relapse. It is looking at thoughts, feelings, actions, and re-actions. It is situational mapping to figure out high-risk situations. It is identifying things that "trigger" a person's use, and when physical or psychological "cravings" for the drug are most intense and ways to deal with those thoughts, feelings, situations, or people without returning to substance use.

Life-long Recovery and Discovery

Whether a person wishes to label them self as an "addict", "alcoholic", or as a person who "had a drinking or drug problem" is up to them. Being abstinent from drugs or alcohol does not imply recovery. Most addicts have followed a life-path of unhealthy choices such as immediate self-gratification. Part of the recovery process is learning how to think and act with longer-term goals in mind. The focus may be on small steps, but objective is to realize a full and complete life free of control from any type of addiction. The important thing to remember is that RECOVERY is a PROCESS of learning how to deal with life in a healthy manner.

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