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Addiction

Craving

First layer: plain explanation and everyday example

Craving can be experienced as an intense urge to use a substance. Experiencing an urge and acting on it are different events.

Everyday / reading example: Fiction: Mert notices an intense urge in a familiar setting. This scene does not determine his next action or a diagnosis.

Going deeper: mechanism, research, method, uncertainty, sources
Explanatory framework
Learned cues and the person’s current context may shape the experience of craving.
Method
Conceptual or institutional explanation, not a new experiment. Where linked, the research method is identified in the card below.
Uncertainty
This explanation is not a personal diagnosis or causal proof. Consider the source date and scope.

Research card

This subtopic uses institutional or conceptual sources; no separate experimental study card is assigned.

Reinforcement

First layer: plain explanation and everyday example

Reinforcement increases the future likelihood of behaviour. Negative reinforcement is not punishment: removing an unpleasant condition can also strengthen behaviour.

Everyday / reading example: Fiction: A warning sound stops when Ece fastens her seatbelt. If this increases future fastening, it illustrates negative reinforcement.

Going deeper: mechanism, research, method, uncertainty, sources
Explanatory framework
The criterion is its effect on later behaviour, not whether the consequence appears “good”.
Method
Conceptual or institutional explanation, not a new experiment. Where linked, the research method is identified in the card below.
Uncertainty
This explanation is not a personal diagnosis or causal proof. Consider the source date and scope.

Research card

This subtopic uses institutional or conceptual sources; no separate experimental study card is assigned.

Wanting and liking

First layer: plain explanation and everyday example

Strongly wanting a reward does not establish equally strong pleasure.

Everyday / reading example: Fictional example: Deniz eagerly plays a new song but enjoys it less than expected. Strong wanting need not mean equally strong pleasure.

Read in the Concept Atlas: Is dopamine simply a happiness chemical?

Blog article (Turkish only): Bir soru, bir araştırma: Çok istemek, çok haz almak mı?

Going deeper: mechanism, research, method, uncertainty, sources
Method
Conceptual or institutional explanation, not a new experiment. Where linked, the research method is identified in the card below.
Uncertainty
This explanation does not cover every dopamine function. The example establishes neither dopamine levels nor an addiction diagnosis.

Research card

P002-ARASTIRMA-005 · v01

Is wanting a reward the same as enjoying it?

Research question
Is wanting a reward the same as enjoying it?
Study type
2016 theoretical review · incentive-sensitization account
Sample
Theoretical review; no single participant sample.
Comparison
Wanting and pleasure processes, not a randomised intervention comparison.
Main finding
Berridge and Robinson link dopamine-related motivation systems to wanting. Their account allows intense wanting without increased pleasure.
Limitations
In the full card
Source check date
15 October 2026 · Concept Atlas source check

Motivation for change

First layer: plain explanation and everyday example

Wanting change and being concerned about it can coexist. Ambivalence can be explored without labelling the person unwilling.

Everyday / reading example: Fiction: Deniz sees benefits in change but fears losing social connections. Different concerns may coexist.

Going deeper: mechanism, research, method, uncertainty, sources
Explanatory framework
External pressure, personal reasons and ambivalence can be distinguished; motivation is not a fixed character label.
Method
Conceptual or institutional explanation, not a new experiment. Where linked, the research method is identified in the card below.
Uncertainty
This explanation is not a personal diagnosis or causal proof. Consider the source date and scope.

Research card

This subtopic uses institutional or conceptual sources; no separate experimental study card is assigned.

Lapse and relapse

First layer: plain explanation and everyday example

Lapse and relapse definitions vary by model. One event does not describe the whole process; it is not necessarily risk-free.

Everyday / reading example: Fiction: After a setback, Deniz thinks “Everything is lost”. Discussing context and subsequent support differs from defining the person by one event.

Read in the Concept Atlas: Does one event define the whole process?

Going deeper: mechanism, research, method, uncertainty, sources
Method
Conceptual or institutional explanation, not a new experiment. Where linked, the research method is identified in the card below.
Uncertainty
This framework concerns substance use; depression relapse is not defined in the same way. One event is not necessarily insignificant or risk-free.

Research card

P002-ARASTIRMA-006 · v01

Reading relapse as a process

Research question
Reading relapse as a process
Study type
2011 narrative review
Sample
Narrative review; no single participant sample.
Comparison
Models and research developments, not one intervention comparison.
Main finding
The review covers Marlatt’s model and later developments, considering context, coping and interpretations together.
Limitations
In the full card
Source check date
15 October 2026 · Concept Atlas source check

Non-stigmatising language

First layer: plain explanation and everyday example

Use language that does not reduce a person to a diagnosis: “person with a substance use disorder” or “person in recovery”.

Everyday / reading example: Writing example: “The person did not attend.” Do not infer character or motivation without knowing why.

Going deeper: mechanism, research, method, uncertainty, sources
Explanatory framework
Person-first language aims to avoid equating a person with one condition or diagnosis.
Method
Conceptual or institutional explanation, not a new experiment. Where linked, the research method is identified in the card below.
Uncertainty
This explanation is not a personal diagnosis or causal proof. Consider the source date and scope.

Research card

This subtopic uses institutional or conceptual sources; no separate experimental study card is assigned.

Existing content on this topic

General information, not diagnosis or personal advice.

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