Pharmacology versus social process: Competing or complementary views on the nature of addiction?

Pharmacological/physiological models and social process/cognitive models of addiction are compared. These are discussed both in terms of the types of data produced and the philosophies of knowledge that underlie the two approaches. It is suggested that the notion of addiction confounds these two sets of issues, especially with respect to the notions of volition and compulsion. The problem is highlighted by data that reveal verbal reports to be variable and context dependent. It is concluded that a better understanding of the nature of addiction requires a clearer distinction between the pharmacological/physiological approach and the social process/cognitive approach. Both approaches contribute usefully to knowledge and have predictive value. Confusion arises, however, where workers fail to see not merely the benefits, but also the limitations, of these two approaches to the addiction problem. PHARMACOL. THER. 80(3):265-275, 1998. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.