White Paper - How companies cause addiction.
About this White Paper
Here we propose a new way of looking at addiction. First we show the importance of understanding the critical influence of companies, through our framework The 4 Economic Drivers of Addiction. Second we show the different ways that addiction is currently viewed in academia, healthcare, policy and in society together with the implications of viewing addiction through these different lenses.
We propose three key areas of action:
By looking at addiction through the lens of our 5 Models of Addiction Framework we can see more clearly the interconnected factors which contribute to addiction. With that perspective a more understanding, caring, respectful approach to prevention and un-addiction can be devised.
The priority is the dismantling of the Economic Model of addiction through political action and regulation, we begin to explore how that might happen.
A new ‘pro-society’ not simply ‘pro-business’ approach to addictive products is required. This will need a transformation in the incentives of shareholders, businesses, politicians and regulators.
We would value any feedback and thoughts you have on this White Paper and opportunities to discuss its ideas in different fora.
Our Research
Addiction is defined as ‘not having control over doing, taking or using something to the point where it could be harmful to you’. (UK NHS definition).
The Addiction Economy is the term we created to describe those companies whose business models knowingly and unashamedly erode our ability to control our usage of their products beyond the point at which they harm us.
Our research puts 8 sectors under the microscope – cigarettes, vapes, alcohol, opioids, unhealthy and ultra-processed foods, gambling, social media and computer games. We discovered a surprising consistency in the corporate actions which create and perpetuate markets for harmful products and the political actions and inactions which allows it to happen.
