The word ‘addiction’ these days is used to refer to a chronic condition where there is anunhealthily powerful motivation to engage in a particular behaviour. This can be driven bymany different factors – physiological, psychological, environmental and social. If we say that itis all about X, we miss V, W, Y and Z. So, some people think addicts are using drugs to escapefrom unhappy lives, feelings of anxiety and so on; many are. Some people think drugs becomeaddictive because they alter the brain chemistry to create powerful urges; that is often true.Others think that drug taking is about seeking after pleasure; often it is. Some take the view thataddiction is a choice – addicts weigh up the pros and cons of doing what they do and decidethe former outweigh the latter. Yet others believe that addicts suffer from poor impulse control;that is often true… And so it goes on.When you look at the evidence, you see that all these positions capture important aspects ofthe problem – but they are not complete explanations. Neuroscience can help us delve moredeeply into some of these explanations, while the behavioural and social sciences are better atexploring others. We need a model that puts all this together in a way that can help us decidewhat to do in different cases. Should we prescribe a drug, give the person some ‘tender lovingcare’, put them in prison or what? Theory of Addiction provides this synthesis.The first edition was well received:‘Throughout the book the reader is exposed to a vast number of useful observations...Thetheoretical aims are timely, refreshing, ambitious and above all challenging. It opens up a newway of looking at addiction and has the potential to move the field of addiction a considerableleap forward. Thus we wholeheartedly would like to recommend the book for students as wellas scholars. Read and learn!’ Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs‘The book provides a comprehensive review of existing theories - over 30 in all - and thissynthesis of theories constitutes an important contribution in and of itself... West is to becommended for his synthesis of addiction theories that span neurobiology, psychology andsocial science and for his insights into what remains unexplained.’ AddictionThis new edition of Theory of Addiction builds on the first, including additional theories inthe field, a more developed specification of PRIME theory and analysis of the expandingevidence base.With this important new information, Theory of Addiction will continue to be essential readingfor all those working in addiction, from student to experienced practitioner – as urged above,Read and learn!
