The circuit of affects in drug addiction: An alternative explanation for the servitude to drugs

Abstract

We present an alternative explanation for drug addiction, reflecting on the reasons that lead a person to persevere in drug consumption despite knowing the harm that this consumption brings. Based on the works by Humberto Maturana and on the theory of affects in Spinoza’s Ethics, we assume that human beings are moved by passions and formulate the circuit of affects of drug addiction. In this circuit, we have identified three affective complexes: the singular personal complex, the relief/oblivion complex, and the psychosocial complex, which form a spiral dynamics of sad affects. Such affects impel the individual to continue in this dynamics, and drugs play only an accessory role. Affects from different origins characterize each affective complex and understanding their particular and specific features guides the corresponding care action, in order to interrupt the spiral dynamics of the circuit.