Application of person-centered medicine in addiction

Abstract

This article discusses human individuality within a lifespan developmental perspective. The practical application of an individual differences framework for diagnosis, prevention and treatment of addiction is described. A brief overview of the methods conducive to knowledge development within the rubric of person-centered medicine that are available to practitioners working in office and clinic settings concludes the discussion.

Figure 1

Developmental change in thrill seeking in 1,147 youths.

Figure 2

Determinants of human individuality in health and disease.

Figure 3

Developmental patterning to healthy and disease (shaded area) outcomes. (Adapted from Vanyukov et al., 2003b) [11].

Figure 4

Person-environment interactions during development producing increasingly complex and stable phenotypes (Adapted from Tarter and Vanyukov, 1994) [12].

Figure 5

Scatter plot of transmissible liability and non-transmissible risk of youths at age 10–12 (N=352) who develop cannabis use disorder (□) or no disorder (+) (Adapted from Tarter et al., in press) [4].

Figure 6

Marijuana use frequency at age 19 based on transmissible and non-transmissible risk scores.

Figure 7

Violence severity at age 19 based on transmissible and non-transmissible risk scores.