Response to Shaffer (1996): The Case for a 'Complex Systems' Conceptualisation of Addiction

Journal of Gambling Studies
Michael Larkin, M Griffiths

Abstract

This paper responds to some of the issues raised by Shaffer's (1996) paper, "Understanding the Means and Objects of Addiction." The authors agree with, and in many respects support, the assertions made by Shaffer with respect to the conceptualisation of the problem of addiction. In particular, that it is the relationship of the addicted person with the object of their behaviour that defines addiction. However, it is argued that in addition to providing an operational definition for addiction, it is important to provide an explicit framework for the development of insight into the 'synergistic nature' of the multiple factors affecting the addiction process. That is, it is necessary to account for both the commonalities and the differences found across the spectrum of addictive behaviours. It is proposed that this might be provided by a 'complex systems' approach to the field of addiction.

Citations

Nov 11, 2011·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Steve Sussman, Alan N Sussman
Jan 17, 2015·International Journal of High Risk Behaviors & Addiction·Mark D Griffiths
Jun 10, 2016·Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences·Daniel Kardefelt-Winther

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