Trivializing dependence

Abstract

There are a number of repetitive behaviors which have in common what appears to be a decrease in an individual's capacity to choose to discontinue them. The taxonomy we select to categorize these behaviors depends on our objectives. Broad definition which label as 'addictions' both repetitive use of drugs and repetitive behaviors not related to drug use call attention to the loss of flexibility that the behaviors have in common. However, such broad definitions may overemphasize the value of general behavioral approaches to change and obscure the fact that seemingly similar behaviors can be dramatically changed by very different specific interventions; (for example, nicotine gum for cigarette smoking, clomipramine for obsessive compulsive disorder.) It is also possible that calling both compulsive hair-pulling and daily heroin use 'addictive disorders' may trivialize the concept of addiction and lead to an erosion of public support for research and intervention in the chemical addictions.