It is important to help addicted persons to connect with their image of their ideal future self, and restore their self-worth. However, change is sometimes set in motion when they can believe that a better life is possible for them, and that they are worth this change for the better. They often find themselves in a very deprived situation, with very little means to change their lives. The image on the front visualizes the situation many chronic substance dependent people face.
This insight into the importance of normative self-control became apparent during the longitudinal qualitative interviews I had with people dependent on alcohol, opioids and amphetamines. We need to look at their self-concept and narrative understanding as well because this determines whether they will use their capacities. We cannot judge whether someone has impaired self-control solely by looking at the capacities they possess. However, the current theories are incomplete because they largely stay silent on how normative agency is impaired in addiction. I will argue that the current theories provide very valuable information on many of the challenges substance users face when exercising intentional or instrumental self-control. I propose a hierarchical account that shows how the current, seemingly conflicting, theories on addiction and self-control relate to each other.
In this thesis I examine the various ways in which self-control can be impaired in addiction, and how self-control can be restored. Addiction is often seen as synonymous with losing self-control.
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