Towards a comprehensive theory of addiction

Abstract

Why do we behave as we do? The answer most of the time is, ‘because we think it will be in our best interests’. But this isn't always the case. Why? The most obvious reasons are, ‘because we judge it to be morally right’, ‘we put other interests above our own’, ‘we miscalculate’, ‘we act without thinking’ and ‘we lack self‐control’. These answers reflect a number assumptions about human motivation, but how do they explain addiction? Robert West exclusively presents his multilayered theory of addiction.

Citation

West, R. (2006), "Towards a comprehensive theory of addiction", Drugs and Alcohol Today, Vol. 6 No. 1, pp. 28-32. https://doi.org/10.1108/17459265200600011