What is a key assumption of the disease model of addiction?

The key assumption of the disease model of addiction is that addiction is a chronic disease that impacts brain function and behavior. This model emphasizes that addiction is not merely a series of poor choices or behaviors but rather a medical condition that requires treatment. The disease model suggests that individuals cannot simply will themselves to stop using substances, highlighting that addiction can be pervasive and that the severity can vary.

Given this context, the notion that "addiction does not exist on a continuum" aligns with the disease model as it posits that addiction is a distinct medical condition rather than a range of behaviors or symptoms that one might see in a continuum. In contrast, other assumptions, such as the belief that addiction is completely reversible through therapy (which oversimplifies the complexity of treating a chronic disease), do not accurately capture the essence of the disease model. Additionally, viewing addiction purely as a learned behavior or as a phenomenon caused solely by social inequalities does not account for the underlying biological and neurochemical changes associated with addiction, which are critical aspects of the disease model.