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Question: The Process of Chemical Dependency - Discuss both the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of addiction, focusing on the main models that seek to explain the process of addiction. Why do some individuals experience severe drug dependency and others do not.
Answer: Peele, Brodsky, and Arnold (1991:133) cited in Dowieko (1993:11) maintain that ‘[addiction] is not an all-or-nothing thing, but a continuum from moderate excess to severe compulsion’. With this citation in mind, I will attempt to discuss both the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of addiction, focusing on the main models that sought to explain the process of addiction, as well as the reasons why drug and alcohol users, unlike others, finish up victims of a severe drug dependency. Nonetheless, I will start this essay by briefly exploring the terminology and provide a definition of those concepts that by their very own nature are central to the conceptual understanding of the process of chemical dependency – chemical use, abuse and addiction....(short extract)
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- Subject: Psychology
- Course: Health Psychology and Psychopathology
- Level: Degree
- Year: 2nd/3rd
- Mark: 70%
- Words: 4219
- Date submitted: April 09, 2009
- Date written: Not available
- References: Yes
- Document type: Essay*
- Essay ID: 2914
