- One of the challenges we face as counselors is developing our theoretical model or approach to counseling. Given the complexity and unique characteristics of each client, we know that it is impossible to have a single theory or approach that explains all human behavior. Likewise, as you read through the various etiological models or explanations of addiction, the tendency is ask “Which one is the correct model?” The answer is not so simple. All of these models are helpful and provide important information for counselors beginning their studies in addiction counseling, but no single model adequately explains why some individuals become addicted to a substance and others do not. So which is the correct one? The answer is “all of the above” as addiction is too complex to try to use one approach to explain addiction when working with a client.
Therefore, it is important to recognize that addiction is not caused by a single factor, which then requires us to integrate aspects of the various models to understand and develop treatment options for clients. For example, while there may be similarities in all addicted individuals, the etiology and motivation for the use of drugs varies from person to person. For some individuals, there may be a genetic predisposition or a physiological reason for use and later addiction to a drug. For others, addiction may be a result of a disruption in their personal development, without a known genetic predisposition or physiological dysfunction. Thus, we have to consider each model, and evaluate how it does or does not explain an aspect of the client’s addiction.
To help you in the process, you will review the 8 distinct classifications of models to explain addiction found in the textbook (Capuzzi & Stauffer, 2020, pp. 7–17):
8 Categories of Models to Explain Addiction
•The Moral Models • The Public Health Models
• Psychological Models • The Developmental Models
• Family Models • Biological Models
•The Disease Models • Sociocultural Models
For this assignment, you will write a 4–5-page paper (excluding title page and reference page) where you will begin to take a multi-causal approach. Select four (4) specific models from the above 8 categories(do not select an entire category).
