Physical dependence model
According to the physical dependence model, withdrawal signs may appear when the use of a given drug is stopped after a long period of repeated exposure to it. In this case, the withdrawal symptoms are compensatory reactions, which minimize the basic impact of the drug. It means that withdrawal symptoms are opposite to the signs of the effects of a given drug. These withdrawal symptoms are quite unpleasant to the drug user. The physical dependency theory explains that the avoidance of these withdrawal symptoms is the main reason people continue to use drugs (Drummond, 2001). A decrease in the withdrawal symptoms constitutes negative reinforcement, which is the maintenance of behavior that stops an aversive stimulus.
The strength of this theory is that it explains the relationship of withdrawal symptoms and the addiction to drugs in simple and observable terms. These symptoms mentioned are seen on many drug addicts and when they use the addictive substance, they disappear. Therefore, to the addicts using the drug becomes a medicine to avoid the withdrawal symptoms.
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However, this theory has got a lot of weaknesses. Firstly, it does not empirically explain this theory for people to confirm its applicability in daily life. There is no evidence adduced to this theory. Secondly, focusing on the impact of the physical withdrawal symptoms instead of analyzing other physiological factors caused the failure of recognizing the addictive features of cocaine. Cocaine does not lead to physical dependency since it lacks withdrawal symptoms. However, cocaine is even more addictive than heroine, which produces tolerance signs. Finally, the decrease in the withdrawal symptoms does not explain the reason people use drugs.
To treat addiction based on the theory of physical dependency, the patient needs to be given medicine for su8pprtessing the withdrawal symptoms like diarrhea and cramps. Through elimination of these withdrawal symptoms, the addict may not have any more reason to use the addictive substance.
Positive reinforcement model
This theory proposes that the reinforcing properties of a given drug are the main cause for addiction. According to this theory, the addictive drugs are positive reinforces, which enable the user to learn a new response and maintain existing behaviors (West, 2013). Drugs are thought to reinforce a given behavior, which the addict likes. This makes them to use that particular drug so as to have a particular behavior or feeling reinforced. The chemicals of the drug normally activate the reinforcement system of the brain’s dopamine receptors.
The weakness of this theory is that it assumes everybody takes drugs in order to reinforce a given behavior or feeling. It is important to note that not all people use drugs with the intention of reinforcing a given behavior or feeling. There are varied reasons for the use of addictive drug substances including the need to avoid hurting moments and stressful life. A person may continue using drugs just to forget the hurdles and tribulations they pass through in life.
The strength of this theory is that it is based on an empirical verification of its suggestions by use of animals. The scientific test of the addictive impact of drugs on animals proves that positive reinforcement is the cause for addiction. Moreover, this theory accounts for the physiological impact of drugs in the body of a human being. It explains that drug chemical substances activate the dopamine receptors of the brain, which then release of dopamine (DA) in the nucleus accumbens (West, 2013).
The treatment of addiction based on this theory would involve limiting the release of dopamine so that the addict does not get activated and pleasure from the use of drugs. Inactivation of dopamine receptors for the addict is the only way of treating addiction in this case.
References
Drummond, D. C. (2001). Theories of drug craving, ancient and modern. Addiction , 96 (1), 33-46.
West, R. (2013). Models of addiction (No. 14). London: European Communities.
