Includes bibliographical references (p. 193-206) and index.

Introduction : journey to the centre of addiction -- Definition, theory and observation -- Beginning the journey : addiction as choice -- Choice is not enough : the concepts of impulse and self-control -- Addiction, habit and instrumental learning -- Addiction in populations, and comprehensive theories -- Development of a comprehensive theory -- A synthetic theory of motivation -- A theory of addiction.

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.