What is addiction?
Do you know what addiction is? Most people would say yes, but, in reality, most of the common do not know what addiction truly is. The general idea that it is a desire or need to do a specific action is well known; however, according to this definition, going to the bathroom is an addiction. In this small article, we will discus some scientific theories on addiction, namely: opponent process theory, and incentive-sensitization theory.
First, lets talk about the opponent process theory. This theory stats that whatever substance or source of pleasure the addict is using causes a positive experience which makes the action desirable in the future; on the other hand, if a addict tries to stop, he or she will experience a negative experience due to withdrawal symptoms. Those two processes push the addict toward the substance and away from the withdrawal, thus creating the addiction. At first glance, this theory seems to be correct, but in fact, this theory has a few holes. The greatest hole is that the opponent process theory does not explain why many addicts come back to the addictive substance after quitting it for a long period of time. Most neuroscientist and phycologists agree that this theory does not explain addiction.
Another very possible theory is the incentive-sensitization theory. This theory stats that the addictive factor of the addict’s routine causes a change in the reward cycles in his or her brain. The alteration of the brain functions causes the addict to desire the substance, thus crating the addiction. This theory is much more agreed on by most of the scientific community.
by: Ahmad Shaaban