Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Practice Exam

What model characterizes addiction as a brain disease with irreversible effects once addiction occurs?

1. Disease Model of Addiction

2. Dirty Middle

3. Disengagement

4. Disjunctive Moves

The correct answer is: Disease Model of Addiction

The Disease Model of Addiction is a well-established framework that conceptualizes addiction primarily as a chronic brain disease. This model posits that once an individual becomes addicted, the alterations in brain structure and function can lead to irreversible changes. These changes manifest in the form of compulsive substance-seeking behavior, a loss of control over usage, and a heightened focus on the substance, despite any negative consequences. Supporters of this model argue that addictions are not simply failures of self-control or moral weaknesses, but rather medical conditions that require appropriate medical treatment, much like other chronic diseases such as diabetes or hypertension. The understanding that addiction affects the brain’s reward system, pleasure, memory, and motivation pathways highlights the biological and neurochemical factors involved, which can make recovery challenging and complex. In contrast, the other choices do not encapsulate the biological and medical perspective that the Disease Model represents. For instance, the Dirty Middle generally relates to dynamics in relationships and communication rather than a medical condition. Disengagement and Disjunctive Moves involve different therapeutic frameworks and concepts, focusing on relational patterns rather than describing addiction as a physical illness. Therefore, the Disease Model of Addiction is distinctly positioned to characterize addiction in this manner, emphasizing both the clinical understanding and the implications for