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THE LANGUAGE OF CHOICE. Behavioural economics" a merging of micro-economic theory and a revolution in behavioural psychology beginning in the 1960s (the matching law")Addiction" is a real phenomenon, not merely a series of causal attributions Addicts' choices are predictableAddicts choose to
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1. BEHAVIOURAL CHOICE THEORIES OF ADDICTION Nick Heather PhD,
Centre for Alcohol & Drug Studies,
Newcastle, North Tyneside & Northumberland Mental Health NHS Trust,
& University of Northumbria
2. THE LANGUAGE OF CHOICE Behavioural economics a merging of micro-economic theory and a revolution in behavioural psychology beginning in the 1960s (the matching law)
Addiction is a real phenomenon, not merely a series of causal attributions
Addicts choices are predictable
Addicts choose to consume drugs etc. but do not choose to be addicted
Addicts choices are constrained like all choices
3. A DEFINITION OF ADDICTION (addiction is shown by) a demonstrated failure to refrain from a behaviour despite attempts to do so or a complaint by the person that the behaviour is out of his or her control.
Heather, N. (in press). Comments on O-J. Skog, Addiction: definitions and mechanisms. In R.E. Vuchinich & N. Heather (Eds.), Choice, Behavioural Economics and Addiction. Oxford, UK: Pergamon Press.
4. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR EXPLAINING ADDICTION