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The Biopsychosocial Plus Model and What It Reveals About Addiction
Have you ever wondered what type of factors can cause someone to develop an addiction? Whether they come from a difficult childhood, have bad peers, or are genetically predisposed to such behavior can all contribute to developing certain habits. But what if I told you that all of these factors in conjunction ( a person’s surroundings, circumstances, and mindset) could play a role in allowing us to better understand how and why one develops addiction?
The Bio-Psycho-Social Plus (BPS+) Model does just this: it emphasizes the Biological, Psychological, Social, and Spiritual Dimensions in the onset of substance use disorders and how these factors should be considered to prevent addiction and provide effective treatment. Below are each of the dimensions that make up the model:
The Biological Dimension
According to empirical evidence, biological factors (including the inheritance of specific genes being passed down) can genetically predispose an individual to exhibit addictive behaviors. Other biological factors, such as biochemical systems, cell systems, organ systems, physiological systems, family history of substance abuse, and physical issues, all play a role in how we interact with substances and are also encompassed under this part of the model.
