Behavioral and Chemical Dependencies : Origin, Development, Integration and Extension

The behavioral and chemical dependencies were shown to havea common origin and predictable developmental trajectory.

Thefollowing were specified; vulnerability to dependence, criteria fordependency choices, benefits from use, three developmentalstages, breadth and speed of progression, personal patterns formedby age at acquisition and whether arousal was acute or chronic,depth of dependence, severity of consequences, and rules forquitting, relapse, and substitutions between dependency choices. The model holds for cults, gambling, opiates, orgasm, overeating,work, sedatives and stimulants, and extends toaggression/violence, anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and depression. Dependencies are means to adjust recurring episodes ofexcessive arousal to functionally adaptive levels.

They are learnedand become problematic only if over generalized.

Depth ofdependence is a personal variable and is not a property of thedependent object.

Control over the dependent response isessential to its exercise for advantage.

Implications for societywere identified.