Moral model of addiction has no clear definition. However, it has different viewpoints. Moral model of addiction views addiction as an individual’s weakness based on his or her inability to make choices. Researchers argue that addicted people suffer from addiction because they engaged in a careless behavior, and irresponsibility resulting from character deficit (Koppel, 2016). The model views addiction as a destructive lifestyle. The medical model of addiction, on the other hand, explains that substance abuse changes people’s brain chemistry, which might lead to other mental health problems. The medical model of addiction uses the neuroanatomical understanding, which is supported by research on neurochemistry; thus, it is evidence-based (Volkow, 2016). Also, the medical model of addiction argues that there are four types of brain functions involved in addiction. The brain functions involved in addiction include memory, control, reward and motivation, each with its function.
The moral model of addiction, contrary to medical model of addiction, is a more prevalent view of society. Besides, it is rarely used in clinical practice. The moral model argues that substance abuse is associated with crimes. It interferes with individuals behaviors; thus, it views addiction as a social problem related to society. In combating the moral model of addiction, social workers can apply the information on neuroscience and the brain. Studying neuroscience and the brain will help social workers to understand addicted person’s behavioral change (World Health Organization, 2004). The brain coordinates all body functions. When individuals take drugs, it infers with their brain functions; hence, neuroscience will help the social worker to understand addiction and fight the moral model.
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Further, to enhance understanding of the medical model of addiction, clinicians and social workers need to develop a strategy. A macro strategy that might enhance the understanding medical model of addiction is through learning how the brain functions (VolKow, 2015). The brain, for example, controls the body and intoxicated people may not make certain decisions since drugs have interfered with their normal brain functions. Also, a micro strategy, for example, researching drug addiction can help social workers, and clinicians understand the medical model of addiction.
References
Koppel, J. (2016). Evidence-based Drug Crime Policy: Moving beyond the Moral/Medical Dichotomy to a Multi-level Model of Addiction . Journal of Civil & Legal Science: Retrieved from https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/evidencebased-drug-crime-policy-moving-beyond-the-moralmedicaldichotomy-to-a-multilevel-model-of-addiction-2169-0170-1000175.pdf
VolKow, N. (2015). Brain Disease Model of Addiction: why is it so controversial : Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4556943/
Volkow, N. (2016). Neurobiological Advances from the Brain Disease Model of Addiction : Retrieved from https://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMra1511480
World Health Organization. (2004). Neuroscience of Psychoactive Substance Use and Dependence : Retrieved from https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QqjCJ6qw5rjQ1RtGk_JHBstPsYfjPbMa/view
