Critical Review of the Habit Theory in Substance Use Disorder and Application of Moors' Goal-Directed Theory

Abstract

Purpose of Review: Substance use remains a pressing societal concern, imposing significant burdens on public health systems and the economy, while also affecting individual well-being. This review examines the habit theory as an explanation for problematic substance use, highlighting its weak empirical grounding. As an alternative, we apply the goal-directed theory of Moors et al. [1, 2] to substance use and argue that it offers a better explanation for the heterogeneity in substance use behaviors. Recent Findings: Our review of the main assumptions and predictions of the habit theory emphasizes concerns regarding reliability, interpretability, and ecological validity of the tasks used to measure the habit construct. A major challenge for habit theory is explaining the complexity of substance use, specifically, the heterogeneity of consumption patterns within and between individuals, how epidemiological risk factors confer risk, and how interventions produce beneficial outcomes. We argue that the goal-directed theory by Moors et al. [1, 2] provides a more compelling synthesis of the empirical findings and offers a more nuanced understanding of substance use, accounting for complexities that remain unaddressed by the habit theory. We elaborate on five key factors that contribute to problematic substance use and show how the goal-directed theory extends beyond existing models, providing a more nuanced understanding of substance use and informing more effective intervention strategies. Summary: We propose shifting from the habit theory to the goal-directed theory of Moors et al. [1, 2], which better accounts for the heterogeneity and motivational strength underlying substance use. This perspective has important implications for understanding risk factors and designing more effective interventions.