The Bio-Psychosocial Approachto drug dependency

Any type of addiction treatment program must have a conceptual framework upon which specific treatment efforts are built. The conceptual framework viewed addiction as a chronic, progressive, relapsing condition that involves compulsion, loss of control and continued use despite adverse consequences. The emphasis is that addiction is a bio-psychosocial problem. That is, the emergence, maintenance and course of addiction is influenced by biological, psychological and social factors. In turn, addiction has profound efforts on people’s biological, psychological and social lives.

 Biological Factors

Although related evidence is equivocal regarding biological contributions to addictive behaviors, it has been a common belief that some people are born with generic predisposition for developing an addiction when exposed to psychoactive drugs. Following chronic drug use, all people experience a  severe biological (neurochemical) imbalance. Drug hunger, intoxication, and withdrawal are all manifestations of drug-induced imbalances of biological homeostasis.

 Psychological Factors

Some people begin their drug use to diminish potent emotional and psychiatric symptoms. In turn, addiction causes a variety of psychological problems. Importantly, addiction causes distortions in thinking such as denial, minimization and projection.

 Social Factors

Various environmental factors increase the likelihood of exposure to specific drugs. For instance, certain drugs are more frequently used within certain cultures, found in certain geographic areas. For many people, drug use occurs in the context of social network. As a result, addiction frequently causes severe disruptions in people’s social lives. Various social and environmental factors can also contribute to the triggering of drug hunger and relapse.

 How Does This Approach Addresses Addiction

The need of a broad approach is particularly urgent for clients addition problems. Treatment should offer the recovering persons;

• Skills that give clients more control over their lives

• Opportunity to try out new behaviors

• Concrete relapse prevention plan

• An emphasis on practical lifestyle issues, such as exercise and nutrition

• Understanding Addiction

• Cultural and Ethnicity

The Bio-psychosocial and its holistic approach to treatment assumes that living a balanced life is a fundamental objective of all people, regardless of race, culture or ethnic background. Establishing physical, emotional, social and spiritual well being is considered to be a central objective in the process of recovery from addiction for all individuals.

Nevertheless, role of culture and ethnicity is also a critical element of recovery process. Cultural sensitivity on the part of addiction professionals is prerequisite for providing effective treatment.

 Cultural and Ethnicity

Cultural sensitivity on the part of addiction professionals is prerequisite for providing effective treatment. Unless the treatment staff is aware of the cultural and ethnic issues and concerns of clients in treatment, as well as socieconomic factors their effectiveness will be severely restricted and eventually counterproductive. The treatment staff must have a fairly thorough knowledge of, empathy for the ethnic and cultural experiences, perceptions and values of his or her clientele.

For more information please feel free to contact Recovery House at telephone numbers 233 1881 or 231 5229, or visit them at Sanson Road Ext., Lahug.