Addictions: Inspiring change

The multilevel models of health are derived to influence and promote health in hopes to reduce disease and inspire positive change in health behaviors. However, they fail to resonate and effectively sustain changes. The Biopsychosocial Model (BPS) is an alternative to the biomedical disease model that views addiction as the product of the interaction between biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors. The model provides a framework for understanding what causes and sustains addictive behaviors and experiences and provides direction in framing both clinical and prevention practice (Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, 2000). The Addictions Foundation of Manitoba (2000) defines addiction accordingly as an unhealthy relationship between a person and a mood-altering substance, experience, event or activity, which contributes to life problems and their reoccurrence.

Addictions always result from an interaction and interplay between many factors including the person’s biological and/or genetic predisposition, their psychological constitution (e.g. personality factors, unconscious motivations, attitudes, expectations and beliefs, etc.), their social environment (i.e. situational characteristics) and the nature of the activity itself. The inter-connectivity results in addictive behavior (Skewes and Gonzalez, 2013).

The BPS model acknowledges the contextual nature of behaviors that lead to health outcomes.  This model invites an appreciation for both the diversity and uniqueness of the individual problems which arise from the interaction of widely variable sets of contributing factors. The BPS model continues to aid in tailoring patient-centered care led programs to change or motivate behaviors. The BPS accommodates non- linear theories which make it individualized to influence change dynamics. In addictions related areas, researchers now almost universally accept the idea of biopsychosocial risk and protective factors as interdependent determinants of health outcomes. Addiction involves the ‘subjective experience’ of losing control and perpetuating a dependency (Griffiths, 2009).

Ledgerwood (2007) suggests complementary treatment approaches that address each of these domains and that have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing substance use or self-destructive behavior, alleviating concomitant mental health issues, improving treatment compliance, or enhancing the quality of life for patients are combined to provide comprehensive treatment to the substance-abusing patient.

Resources:

Addictions Foundation of Manitoba. (2000). Biopsychosocial model. Manitoba. Retrieved from https://afm.mb.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/BPS-FINAL.pdf

Griffiths, M. (2009). A ‘components’ model of addiction within a biopsychosocial framework. Journal Of Substance Use, 10(4), 191-197. doi:10.1080/14659890500114359

Ledgerwood, D. M. (2007). Understanding addiction from a biopsychosocial perspective. Psyccritiques, 52(43), doi:10.1037/a0008742

Skewes, M. C., & Gonzalez, V. M. (2013). Chapter 6: The Biopsychosocial Model of Addiction. Principles Of Addiction, 61-70. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-398336-7.00006-1