ABSTRACT
Traditionally, each branch of science has developed its theories of addiction within its fortresses. The integration of research results has, therefore, remained meager, causing fragmentation and confusion about this concept and the leading models explaining it. This chapter aims to increase cross-disciplinary integration in this area by focusing on the loopings within and between different levels of phenomena in the production of and desistance from these problem behaviors. To illustrate typical factors and processes predisposing people to addictive behaviors, it starts from the dynamics of interacting external sociocultural and psychological factors and their loopings with group and individual vulnerabilities. A simple working model of the vicious circle of addiction in an individual is then presented to show how addictive behavior becomes increasingly difficult to change and to indicate some points where to intervene to get rid of the compulsion. The chapter ends by delineating common paths to recovery and some measures to prevent addictions.
