Physicians' Beliefs about the nature of addiction: a survey of primary care physicians and psychiatrists

Am J Addict. 2013 May-Jun;22(3):255-60. doi: 10.1111/j.1521-0391.2012.00332.x.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Society debates whether addiction is a disease, a response to psychological woundedness, or moral failing.

Method: We surveyed a national sample of 1427 US primary care physicians (PCPs) and 487 psychiatrists, asking "In your judgment, to what extent is alcoholism/drug addiction each of the following? A) a disease B) a response to psychological woundedness C) a result of moral failings."

Results: The response rate was 63% for PCPs and 64% for psychiatrists. More psychiatrists than PCPs consider addiction a disease (64% versus 56%). Some PCPs (31%) and psychiatrists (27%) attribute addiction to psychological woundedness. More psychiatrists than PCPs said addiction is "not at all" due to moral failings (55% versus 39%).

Conclusions and scientific significance: The disease model for addiction is prominent among physicians, but exists alongside beliefs that addiction is a response to psychological woundedness, or a result of moral failings.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Alcoholism*
  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Behavior, Addictive*
  • Culture*
  • Data Collection
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Physicians, Primary Care / psychology
  • Physicians, Primary Care / statistics & numerical data*
  • Psychiatry / statistics & numerical data*
  • Substance-Related Disorders*