Question

If the term 'addiction' has no diagnostic meaning, why is it still used, and does it serve any purpose?

Answer 1

Ans) Addiction is a condition that influences the life of millions of people. Addiction to tobacco and alcohol constitute a serious burden of disease in many societies, and addiction to drugs such as cannabis, amphetamine, heroin and cocaine is associated with a range of negative outcomes.

- Addiction is caused by genetic and environmental factors.

- In practice, addiction can be a helpful concept that allows the public, clinicians and patients to put into words the problems caused by drinking and drug use. However, addiction as a practical concept may have unintended consequences as well, in particular when it allows users of tobacco, drugs and alcohol to distance themselves from “addicts” and thereby make light of the negative consequences of these substances.

- Another adverse consequence of the addiction concept is the “war on drugs” that has been declared decades ago. The addiction concept is used to argue for prohibitions that are inefficient and lead to harm both in drug users and communities themselves.

- By accepting patients’ goals and preferences, while at the same time acknowledging the need to take addiction problems seriously, addiction treatment may move forward.