Perspective Chapter: Influence of Values and Beliefs on Addictive Behaviors

1. Introduction

Many argue whether addiction is a matter of choice rather than a physiologic disorder, a question of voluntary behaviors, and not a chronic illness or a persistent ailment. Human choices and preferences are rather intricating and influenced by numerous variables, most of which condition us to intermittently or regularly engage in certain behaviors.

Values and beliefs significantly influence addictive behaviors, impacting both their development and treatment. Research has shown that both irrational and rational beliefs are crucial factors in substance and behavioral addictions [1]. Personal strong values and beliefs play a pivotal role in shaping our behaviors and making our choices caged within boundaries established for our own protection from harming ourselves or deviating from these values and beliefs. Adherence to many traditional social and spiritual principles are associated with the belief that higher powers watching our behaviors, significantly influences our choices and alters the way individuals perceive life, interact with others, and the entire philosophy of life and death.

It may be wise to ask to what extent drug abuse is a matter of personal preference rather than a reflection of someone else’s ideas and thoughts imposed upon us. And what defenses would individuals develop that would safeguard them from self-harm without consciously choosing to do so? The impact of individual values and beliefs on decision-making, addictive tendencies, spiritual and religious practices, as well as the choice to cease such behaviors, is indisputable.

2. Addiction and choices

Addiction is not only a health issue but also a part of our everyday choices, and understanding addiction can help us understand these choices better [2]. The element of choice always exists, even in the lowest self-control over our physiologic senses. While it is unlikely that anyone actively chooses to become an addict, it is not uncommon to see addicted people stopping using drugs when its negative effects become too severe or when the costs of continuing become too great, which challenges the common belief that addiction is an uncontrollable disease. And while most addiction treatment and rehabilitation plans fail, choosing to quit succeeded in cases that exceed expectations.

There exists a significant inquiry into the level of our participation in shaping our behaviors rather than them being imposed upon us by many societal influences. Such influences subtly convince us that we have consciously selected our actions. The lingering question revolves around the degree to which our behaviors are a true reflection of our choices and not merely reactions to external influences that we have absorbed and internalized. We then reach a point where we genuinely perceive these preferences as uniquely our own and a consequence of our cognitive processes stemming from our cognitive and personal judgments. In fact, much of our behaviors are authentically driven by our own volition and of societal conditioning, leading us to believe that our preferences are entirely self-determined and a direct result of our decision-making.

Outcome studies show that the majority of individuals who receive treatment for substance use disorders relapse. Thus, the claim that addiction is a chronic relapsing disorder can be backed up by more than a hundred years of research. Clinical records show that addicts who enter treatment often relapse [2].

In the realm of addiction, the decision-making process holds paramount importance. The role of choice in becoming addicted is inevitable, and it supports the argument that addiction is closely tied to voluntary behaviors and choices individuals make. Voluntary addiction does not mean someone chooses to be an addict; nevertheless, the addict chooses to use the drug one more time. Voluntary actions are resistible, and individuals possess the capacity to make choices that may result in favorable consequences. Addiction is not solely a manifestation of compulsive conduct but rather entails decisions that culminate in unfavorable outcomes. The phenomenon of addiction encompasses a multifaceted interplay of intentional actions, cognitive processes involved in decision-making, and the consequences of those choices [2].

Understanding addiction requires an understanding of how choices are made. Choices involve making decisions based on the current value of the options available, while considering the dynamic relationships between choice and changes in value. And while individuals always try to choose the better option that currently has the higher value and is viewed as the best choice at the time of decision, yet this does not guarantee that it will always lead to the best outcome.

Drug use choices are significantly shaped by social interactions, relationships, feedback, cultural messages, and the broader environment we are immersed in. Furthermore, societal principles of autonomy, free will, and restraint can influence how individuals interpret and engage in addictive behaviors. Social influences seem to impact addiction risk more than other health conditions. The concept of free will and voluntary choices in addiction is debated, with many researchers arguing that addictive behaviors are voluntary and driven by individual choices [3]. The ability to exercise self-control and make value-driven choices is essential in addressing addictive behaviors [4].

Encouraging young individuals to make their own choices would enhance their development of critical thinking skills, autonomy, and independent decision-making abilities. Allowing children to select according to their own preferences fosters independence and self-assurance, which give them much control over their lives. However, while there is no question of the importance of voluntary decision-making, it is necessary to understand that these choices and desires are not coming from vacuum, but rather a complex of influences from peers, parents, media and advertising, cultural and societal norms, and social media in its many forms. Such would affect the children’s evaluation of their different options and their weighing of the potential consequences of their choices. In fact, local choice can drive overall welfare to its lowest possible level and therefore can produce the worst possible undesired outcome.

3. Spirituality and religiosity

Religious beliefs and values have been found to have a significant influence on addictive behaviors. Research indicates that individuals with strong religious commitments exhibit a lesser propensity for substance abuse and decreased levels of substance use disorder [5, 6]. Religious and spiritual beliefs can shape attitudes toward addiction and its treatment [7]. Individuals’ beliefs about addictive substances, such as nicotine, can modulate value and reward prediction error signals, affecting their choices and behaviors [8].

The relationship between spirituality, religion, and decisions regarding addiction continues to be undisturbed. Religious values and traditional social roles are correlated with lower addiction rates. They have a prudential component, recommending consumption levels that are closer to the ideal global levels. The gain relative to the local equilibrium reinforces religious beliefs, making things better and thereby more persistent.

On the other hand, a negative correlation exists between religiosity and drug consumption, as individuals who engage in frequent prayer and uphold the concept of a higher power that rewards and punishes often report lower levels of cigarette and alcohol dependency. Empirical findings from many studies have shown that believing in the afterlife, believing the concepts of punishment and reward, church attendance, spiritual values, and adherence to traditional social roles are correlated with lower addiction rates and are linked to more successful quitting [2].

Religiosity and spirituality have a major impact on social behaviors and on attitudes toward controlling self-behavior and decision-making. Spiritual and religious values are valuable during stressful periods. It exerts an impact on addiction choices. It is observed that those who strongly advocate for a belief in a spiritual realm do not encounter stress-induced escalations in drug utilization. Those who express a commitment to spiritual and religious values and adherence to conventional societal roles report lower levels of drug use, particularly in stressful situations that promote excessive drug use [2].

4. Behavioral addiction

Personal values and moral beliefs play a role in behavioral addiction, with religiosity and moral incongruence contributing to feelings of addiction or compulsivity in behaviors like sexual addiction [9, 10]. Moreover, belief in food addiction can influence support for obesity-related policies, highlighting the interconnectedness of beliefs and behaviors [11]. Furthermore, individuals’ satisfaction with life, belief in a just world, and personality traits can influence the concept of addiction as a chronic disease.

Beliefs also extend to technology addiction, where a sense of belonging and enjoyment can positively impact addictive behaviors related to social networking sites [12]. Cognitive-behavioral therapists focus on attitudes and beliefs in addressing gambling addiction due to their significant role in the development and maintenance of addictive behaviors [13]. Additionally, the belief in an inherently existing self is associated with maladaptive psychosocial functioning, suggesting that ontological addiction to self-identity can impact behaviors [14].

Personal values and beliefs are significant factors influencing behavioral addiction, impacting individuals’ attitudes, behaviors, and treatment outcomes. Moral inconsistency has been positively associated with self-acknowledgment of behavioral addictions such as pornography consumption, internet utilization, social media engagement, and online gaming [15]. These discoveries underscore the significance of personal values and ethical convictions in shaping individuals’ perceptions of their addictive conduct. Moreover, studies emphasize the importance of irrational and rational beliefs in both substance and behavioral addictions [1]. Belief in food addiction has been associated with support for obesity-related policies, demonstrating how individuals’ beliefs about addiction can impact public health initiatives and policies [16]. Furthermore, self-efficacy beliefs and social support are identified as predictors of addiction relapse, highlighting the influence of personal beliefs on maintaining recovery [17]. Furthermore, personality traits are pivotal in the initiation and perpetuation of behavioral addictions [18]. For example, conscientiousness is recognized as a predictor of behavioral addictions like video games, Internet, and mobile phone addiction [19].

Nevertheless, cultural variances can also impact perspectives on addictive behaviors. Professionals in different countries may have varying perceptions of gambling and internet addictions, with French professionals perceiving a higher dependence risk and having less belief in the power of treatment compared to Finnish professionals. On the whole, principles and convictions, particularly of a religious nature, wield a pivotal influence in shaping addictive behaviors.

There is no doubt that personal values and beliefs significantly shape behavioral addiction by influencing individuals’ attitudes, behaviors, and treatment outcomes. Understanding the impact of beliefs on behavioral addiction can guide interventions and support strategies targeting individuals’ values and attitudes toward their addictive behaviors. Behavioral addiction entails recurring patterns of behavior where individuals partake in activities excessively despite facing adverse repercussions. The role of choices and values in behavioral addiction is crucial in understanding the development, maintenance, and recovery from such addictive behaviors [20].

Values play a crucial role in behavioral addiction. The alteration of the value system, conflicts in values, and the influence of fixed imagination on attitudes toward addiction can contribute to the formation and maintenance of addictive behaviors [21]. The development and perpetuation of addictive behaviors are influenced by decision-making processes, impulsivity, individual discrepancies, and societal norms [22]. Comprehending the influence of individual disparities such as impulsivity and sensation-seeking behaviors on addictive decisions is crucial in formulating effective interventions for behavioral addiction [23].

In conclusion, the role of choices and values in behavioral addiction is multifaceted. The process of decision-making in addiction is intricate, encompassing considerations of voluntary control, compulsive conduct, and the interaction between free will and external influences. Recognizing the influence of choices and values is essential in designing comprehensive strategies for prevention, intervention, and treatment of behavioral addiction.

5. Quitting addiction

Personal values and beliefs play a crucial role in the process of quitting addiction. Several studies have highlighted the significance of various beliefs and perceptions in addiction cessation efforts. Self-efficacy beliefs have been consistently linked to successful quitting attempts [17]. Moreover, fundamental religious values have been identified as playing a significant role in preventing addiction [24].

Moreover, Personal values and beliefs play a significant role in the voluntary choices that individuals make when deciding to quit addiction. The addiction decision-making process is complex; it involves many considerations of the factors of free will, compulsive behavior, and voluntary control versus external influences. While values influence voluntary choices, addictive behaviors are primarily controlled by these voluntary decisions rather than being solely driven by pharmacological factors [25]. The capacity to make decisions and the belief in free will remain to be fundamental elements that can support individuals in surmounting addiction [26].

The discourse surrounding addiction frequently centers on whether it is a matter of choice or compulsion. However, this shows the traditional contradiction between viewing addiction as a consequence of decision-making or a disease accompanied by compulsive behaviors with no control over it [27]. Heyman [28] presents data showing that individuals meeting addiction criteria often quit without professional help, indicating a voluntary aspect to quitting driven by factors such as legal concerns, economic pressures, and the desire for respect.

Beliefs about addiction being a disease or brain disease can impact public attitudes toward addictive behaviors and decisions to quit. The perception of addiction as a loss of control and the influence of societal beliefs are also significant. Peele [29] argues against the brain disease model of addiction, advocating for recognizing individuals as active participants capable of quitting in alignment with their values.

Focusing on voluntary choice in addiction treatment is essential. Failure to quit remains a logical outcome of any rehabilitation program, and without the voluntary choice factor, many of the initiatives will remain a waste of time, money, and effort. Willingness and ability stand side by side and play a vital in any treatment modality. Mostly, it is not the ability that leads to failure in quitting, but the real willingness and control of voluntary choices that impact most of the decisions to quit. While factors such as genetics, environmental influences, mental health issues, and past trauma can all impact an individual’s ability to successfully overcome addiction, individuals’ conscious decision and personal willpower to seek help or start a treatment program remain inevitable.

Personal values and beliefs play a multifaceted role in addiction cessation. From self-efficacy convictions to perspectives on addiction as a medical condition, these convictions can mold individuals’ mindsets, actions, and achievements in ceasing addictive behaviors. Convictions in one’s capability to cease, the aspiration to quit, and acknowledgment of addiction as a neurological condition have been revealed to impact cessation. In comprehending addiction, it is essential to contemplate the interplay between voluntary behaviors, compulsive actions, and the influence of personal principles and convictions. The resolution to discontinue addiction is shaped by a blend of inner incentives, external demands, and communal outlooks, underscoring the intricacy of the process.

6. Conclusion

While addiction, in its logical and medical definition, remains to be classified as a chronic relapsing brain disease initiated and continued by the consumption of drugs that have actually made long-lasting changes in how the normal brain works, yet the path to addiction and its treatment has much to do with willingness, dedication, and voluntary choices. Such a conventional understanding of addiction poses challenges from a perspective point of view. This limited understanding hinders our comprehension of the onset of addiction, its treatment, and recovery approaches, as it fails to acknowledge the role of voluntary choices and accountability for one’s actions.

Values and beliefs exert various influences on decision-making, particularly in relation to drug use. Social roles, lifestyles, conformity to social norms, adherence to traditional values, and commitment to religious values impose limits on drug use and addiction rates without explicitly delineating them. Individuals who possess stronger religious beliefs or spiritual inclination tend to uphold values, self-restraints, and sobriety, and report lower problematic drug use. The intertwined nature of beliefs and values with addictive behaviors has a profound effect on how individuals perceive, develop, and address addictive tendencies. Recognizing the influence of beliefs on addiction can offer valuable insights into customized interventions that take into account individuals’ value systems and belief structures, thereby effectively addressing addictive behaviors.

Addiction ought not to be confined to its classification as an unavoidable and persistent ailment but rather as an issue arising from maladaptive decision-making and behaviors. Individuals struggling with addiction must be held responsibility for their conduct, thereby becoming more actively involved in the process of recuperation. Fostering a sense of accountability can enable individuals to take charge of their addiction and strive toward attaining healthier lives.

It is imperative to reassess how the younger generations grasp addiction and how it is construed and addressed within society. Teaching our children the value of making voluntary choices free from undue influence is crucial. It not only empowers them to effectively navigate their own lives but also can help develop their decision-making skills, critical thinking abilities, and sense of independence. However, our own preferences seeking best interests, and choices we make, are based on a complex mechanism involving one’s values and beliefs and, in many cases, a reflection of what is being imposed on us and perhaps conditioned to do for a long time by the social, cultural, spiritual influences. Values, beliefs, and social or cultural roles can impact choices relating to drug use by simplifying decision-making processes and through personal endorsement and adherence to specific value systems.

Voluntary choices and personal decisions we take every day, seeking what is best for us, do not necessarily guarantee positive outcomes. In fact, voluntary behavior often involves pitfalls, and choosing what is deemed best can paradoxically lead to the worst overall outcome.

The belief in free will and the ability to make choices are fundamental to addressing addiction. Recognizing that the path to addiction is much of a choice, empowers individuals to take control of the health and prosperity of their lives. Understanding the role of personal values and beliefs is crucial for designing effective strategies for addiction prevention and successfulness of conventional treatment modalities.