Addictive Behaviours Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Addictive Behaviours - Research Paper Example To better understand what can be done and what the genetic component to addiction means, we first have to analyse the concept of addiction and then examine how the genetic model compares with several other models which explain addictive behaviour as well as the reality that we have in treating and handling addiction as it dealt by with the courts of law and a morally guided culture. The Concept of Addiction As discussed by Peele et. al. (1998) the basic concept of addiction can be understood as the visible, quantifiable, and often pathological activity of an individual that displays its inability to leave a habit which creates a desire for a physical substance or the engaging in a particular act. This concept was further developed by Compton (2001) who adds that the addictive behaviour may be due to a mental or a physical dependence which is based on a person’s habit. This is certainly an improvement over the common understanding of addiction in which a person is said to be addicted if s/he continues to use a substance despite causing harm to his/her person. When a person is at such a state, the addictive behaviour exhibited by the individual can increase with time. This increase can be represented in several ways which include an increase in the amount or the frequency of using the addictive substance or exhibiting the addictive behaviour.