Conceptual competence in addiction: integrative contributions from philosophical and theoretical work in psychiatry

Conceptual and philosophical issues in mental health are crucial to practical areas such as classification, diagnosis, treatment, policy, and public understanding. A robust discussion of these matters exists in psychiatry, but the study of addictive disorders has been less integrated with these discussions, despite other contributions from philosophers and bioethicists regarding addiction. This presentation offers a theoretical analysis that aims to explore and integrate paradigms and conceptual frameworks from both psychiatry and addiction studies, identifying connections and bridging gaps.
General psychiatry has rich conceptual work, notably in recent work in the interdisciplinary field of philosophy of psychiatry. Leading scholars have usefully articulated philosophical structures to inform psychiatric work. Addiction scholarship often relies on implicit paradigms, and it touches upon key theoretical and conceptual issues intersecting with relevant debates in psychiatry, yet mainstream addiction research and practice have largely been insulated from those broader dialogues. In contrast, when philosophical or conceptual issues are discussed in addiction research and practice, there is often a disconnection from relevant theoretical disciplines. 
This presentation will discuss and present into the available paradigms and frameworks underlying psychiatric theory and practice, alongside philosophical and conceptual works in addiction scholarship. It will assess their potential for integration and mutual enrichment, mapping the field. Case examples in this presentation will include: 1. discussions about the causes of addiction and mental health conditions, as well as 2. common misconceptions regarding the biopsychosocial model, as well as other available paradigms from philosophy of psychiatry. There are several ways in which theoretical and conceptual considerations could be useful to addiction practitioners and researchers. Examining such fundamental concepts will enrich our understanding of the perspectives of people who use drugs and people in recovery. These discussions will also facilitate richer discussions around diagnosis and identity formation, including directly clinically relevant topics such as addressing denial, ambivalence, and other motivational issues. They will also assist in navigating ethical issues like coercion, conflicts of interest, and informed consent.
In conclusion, the presentation will argue for explicitly addressing the often implicit assumptions about addiction in clinical work, research, and policy. A pragmatic and pluralistic approach to conceptualization will be suggested, offering concrete directions for research and practice, which in turn can inform these conceptual questions further. The conclusion will also provide recommendations for readings, resources, and other connections to philosophical, conceptual, and theoretical work that may enhance the work of scholars, clinicians, and policymakers in this field.