Dictionary

In the context of addiction treatment, the medical model views addiction as a chronic disease, similar to other medical conditions, and approaches it as a problem with the brain and body that can be treated with medication, behavioral therapy, and other medical interventions.

The goal of addiction treatment within the medical model is to diagnose and treat the underlying biological and physiological causes of the addiction and to help the individual achieve sustained recovery and improved quality of life. The medical model often focuses on the individual’s biological and genetic predispositions, withdrawal symptoms, and the effects of substance use on the brain while downplaying the role of psychological, social, and environmental factors in the development and maintenance of an addiction.