Addiction and self-determination: a phenomenological approach.
In this article, I focus on possibly impaired self-determination in addiction. After some methodological reflections, I introduce a phenomenological description of the experience of being self-determined. I argue that being self-determined implies effectivity of agency regarding three different behavioural domains. Such self-referential agency shall be called 'self-effectivity' in this article. In a second step, I will use this phenomenological description to understand the impairments of self-determination in addiction. While addiction does not necessarily imply a basic lack of control over one's life, this can well be the case during certain periods of time or in special situations. Addiction is herein described as an embodied custom-highly effective with respect to changing one's lived experience-which is learned and developed while becoming addicted. Such a repeatedly performed custom, called a 'psychotropic technique', implies deep changes in one's personal identity and alters an agent's 'self-effectivity'. In the closing section, I discuss the possible implications of a phenomenological approach to personal responsibility.
Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy II, Christian-Doppler-Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University, Ignaz-Harrer-Strasse 79, 5020, Salzburg, Austria. schlimme.jann@gmx.de
Jann E
JE
Schlimme
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000523:psychology*; D002755:Choice Behavior; D003210:Concept Formation; D005610:Freedom; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010686:Philosophy, Medical; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012919:Social Behavior; D012933:Social Identification; D012941:Social Responsibility; D012945:Social Values; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D014836:Volition