Introduction to How Do You Get Addicted?

In this series on addiction, we have discussed the causes of addiction according to the Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual (BPSS) model of addiction.  Each explanation differs in terms of the importance it assigns to the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual forces. We generally understand these are all inter-related. Therefore, each of these factors contributes in some manner to the formation of addiction.

In this chapter, we answer the question, "How do you get addicted?" We will again use BPSS model of addiction. We will examine each component of the BPSS model in detail. Our goal is to help you, the reader, appreciate the complexity of addiction. Like most complex problems, there is a broad range of possible solutions. Our position is that complex problems, like addiction, do not benefit from single, simplistic solutions. People benefit from having a range of possible solutions to their addiction problems. So let's begin. "How DO people get addicted?" Perhaps more importantly, "How can people recover from addiction?"