Addiction Therapy in Hillsborough, NJ

The disease model for alcoholism was originally proposed by Jellinek in 1946. By 1966, the American Medical Association (AMA) began referring to alcoholism as a disease. It views addiction as a chronic, progressive, and potentially irreversible medical condition. According to the disease model, addiction alters brain chemistry and behavior, impairing the individual’s ability to control substance use. Treatments often include medical and therapeutic interventions, such as detoxification, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and long-term support through programs like AA. Although it remains controversial, the model legitimized addiction as a condition needing clinical care, not moral judgment.

In this model, addiction is viewed as a moral failing or weakness of character. It emphasizes individual responsibility and choice. Addiction is often seen as a sin or a criminal behavior, with little to no sympathy offered to those who struggle with chronic substance use. The moral model assumes that people who possess moral strength and religious conviction can overcome addiction. Programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), which stress spiritual belief and moral accountability, align with this perspective, although this model is not considered therapeutic in a clinical sense.

This model emphasizes that psychological or emotional issues—not biology—are the root causes of substance use. Addiction is seen as a learned behavior and a result of personality defects such as poor impulse control, low self-esteem, or a need for control. Treatments focus on addressing underlying psychological issues and improving coping mechanisms through therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), individual counseling, and skills training. Dr. Richard Solomon’s opponent-process theory further explains how addiction develops through the pairing of pleasure and withdrawal symptoms over time.

This model focuses on how environmental and social factors contribute to the development of addiction. It argues that addiction is learned through socialization, modeling, and reinforcement within families, peer groups, and communities. Treatments in this model often involve community-based interventions, environmental changes (such as public smoking bans), and support systems that reduce stress and improve social functioning. Prevention strategies are also emphasized, particularly for at-risk youth.

Developed by Albert Bandura, the Social Learning Theory highlights how individuals learn behaviors through observation, imitation, and reinforcement. Substance use is influenced by an individual’s expectations, social environment, and role models. Treatments rooted in this model include coping skills training, role-playing, and exposure therapy. Therapists often use modeling techniques to teach healthier behaviors and replace substance use with more adaptive coping strategies.