Substance addiction: cure or care?

Abstract Substance addiction has been historically conceived and widely researched as a brain disease. There have ample criticisms of brain-centred approaches to addiction, this paper aims align with one such criticism by applying insights from phenomenology psychiatry. More precisely, work will apply Merleau-Ponty’s insightful distinction between the biological lived body. In light, disease model emerges an incomplete account substance because it captures only its aspects. When considering disorder, be shown that research fails for contextual, functional, emotional aspects inherent subjective health. It is concluded that, while fundamental our understanding what happens in brain, approach cure-oriented . Instead, we suggest care-orientated approach, which understands treats psychological feel bodily experience situated environment, allowing more encompassing therapeutic perspective.