Important notes on terminology Stress is used here in place of distress for the sake of simplicity, since a general audience typically understands stress in contexts such as this as implicitly meaning distress. The term condition (chronic and/or degenerative) is used throughout this section to describe the type of affliction which addiction represents. Addiction fully qualifies as a disease, but describing it as a condition destigmatizes addictive disorders and adds a note of optimism in keeping with the overall theme of this site.

This may be the most useful and enlightening section of the site for those curious about how the Sonora model works and how it differs from other models.

The section consists of the short explanations of each principle followed by extended explanations of how and why they were derived and/or applied. Use the numbered buttons at left to get more information on any of these individual points.

This list is still flexible. Details of some principles will likely change, and some may be completely revised as more factual evidence is gathered concerning the human brain and its development, and the human mind and its functions.

Any new model of addiction must apply or derive its definition of addiction from current models.

Developmental models of personality and mechanical models of neurological structure are fully interconnected.

Addiction and compulsion are discrete degenerative conditions, not holistic states of existence or developmental variations.

Adaptive responses developed as a consequence of shock are inherent physical stressors, and remain stressors until or unless they are encoded into the genes, or in some way made unnecessary.

Addiction and compulsion as they are commonly understood can exist only in the presence of a history of severe infant shock.

The addictive need or hunger is a byproduct of the aftereffects of severe, unresolved shock.

Addictive objects and compulsive responses and are inherently unnatural stressors.

The progress of addiction is determined primarily by the toxicity of the addictive object, the stress imposed by shock-induced responses, and the supports available for dealing with these stressors.

Addiction is characterized physiologically by specific forms of abnormal development of the brain and central nervous system.

Addiction is characterized psychologically and behaviorally by abnormal abilities, responses and impulses which operate at the developmental level of infancy.

The expression of an addictive/compulsive disorder will typically progress through several distinct stages between infancy and adulthood.

Addiction is a chronic condition which is loosely classifiable and treatable as a developmental disorder.

The cause of any particular addiction can always be traced to a single instance of shock.

Permanent cure is achievable only when the causative shock is addressed. Full and partial cure are both possible through the application of corrective treatment and habilitation.

The underlying principles which govern the treatment of addiction are not fundamentally different from those governing any other form of injury or disability.

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