ABSTRACT
The dominant model of addiction, and the one that guides the majority of our treatment and research, is the biological or disease model. This sees addiction as a chronic relapsing brain disease, influenced by genetic vulnerabilities and evidenced by brain changes. The disease model has led to a number of effective treatments, and moved our understanding towards a more compassionate approach that supports treatment for those that are addicted, rather than punishment. However, its development alongside drug prohibition has increased stigma, and its diagnostic approach can struggle with complex behaviours. Other ways of understanding addiction are drawn from psychological and social models, which place addictive behaviours in the context of the whole person in their environment.
