An understanding of addiction theory is vital to understanding addiction itself. Theory of Addiction takes theory development from a simple ‘rational addiction model’, adding elements such as compulsion, self-control and habit, to explain the ‘big observations’ in the field. As well as explaining and evaluating the arguments of each of the prevailing schools of thought, the book develops a new, synthetic theory of addiction that brings together the diverse elements of current models.

Designed to enable students, practitioners and researchers to establish a starting point in the labyrinthine world of addiction theory, Theory of Addiction supports abstract thinking with concrete and realistic scenarios, underlining the centrality of theoretical understanding to working with addiction.

• Presents a digest of major existing theories in one volume
  
• Develops a new synthetic theory of addiction
  
• Recognises the diversity of the experience of addiction
  
• Discusses factors at the level of both the individual and populations
  
• Provides key recommendations for the development of effective interventions