What is the Disease Model of Addiction?

This video describes the disease model of addiction. The disease model of addiction states that changes in the brain due to substance use greatly compromise an individual’s ability to stop using drugs or alcohol. This model treats substance use disorders more like a medical condition as opposed to a “decision to stop using.” Some other models of addiction more heavily weight the role of accountability, responsibility, and motivation in the recovery from substance use disorders. Many of the models offer something of value to the discussion of addiction treatment, however, it is my opinion that the disease model is currently the most useful model of addiction available.