Did you know that the brain has a reward circuit that receives signals when you engage in satisfying activities? It is why you feel good whenever you eat your favorite food, smell a specific scent, or when you engage in social activities.
Fulfilling activities or even smells can activate the reward circuit of the brain. When it is activated, a euphoric feeling will follow. Chemicals in alcohol, especially drugs disrupt the natural process.
When you take drugs, it produces artificial signals which trigger the reward system. The body will start to trust these artificial signals and consider them as a “natural” process. Also, it will have an unhealthy dependence on drugs which often leads to substance use disorder.
If you are thinking about how rehabs treat addiction or substance use disorder, the answer is by using The Behavioral Model of Addiction.
What is The Behavioral Model Of Addiction?
Throughout history, many researchers study the cause of addiction in every person. They have tried to find what drives the addiction. They understand that certain behaviors or actions trigger it. And they come up with different theories which can help the recovery from addiction.
Addiction is different for everybody, but the behavioral model of addiction encompasses all of their triggers. Here are some of the models rehabs use to effectively treat addiction.
Moral Model
In this model, it is believed that moral weakness is the cause of addiction and the cure is responsibility. This model is old-fashioned and has no significant research result that proves it is effective.
But many rehabs in the US use this model as their foundation for treatment.
Disease Model
This model focuses on addiction as a disease. While it is true that addiction is a disease, treating it with only abstinence is lacking. This model does not go deeper into the real cause of addiction.
This model is effective when used side by side with another behavioral model.
Socio-Cultural Model
This model looks into the bigger picture in terms of addiction. It takes into account all sociocultural aspects as underlying factors that trigger addiction. These factors include poor quality of life, lack of opportunity, discrimination, and other factors that marginalized communities face daily.
Psycho-Dynamic Model
This model takes into account past traumas and mental health issues. Therapy is used to understand and address the addiction of a person.
Recovery with Skyward Treatment
Addiction is undoubtedly a hard battle, but beating it is possible. If you are ready and determined to win this battle, start your recovery with us!
Skyward Treatment is a premier addiction rehab center in Houston, Texas. We take pride in our approaches to effectively battle addiction. If you want to learn about our methods, visit or call us!