The BPS+ Model of Addiction: Analyzing Addiction in “A Star is Born”

by | Jan 25, 2024 | social work

Purpose:
The main purpose of the assignment is to give students an opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the bio-psycho-social plus (BPS+) model by applying it to a character in piece of contemporary media. The focus of this assignment is addiction to a substance: eg. alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, another drug. Your assignment needs to address the biological/physiological, social, psychological, cultural, and spiritual aspects of addiction as they appear in the subject material you have chosen. Focus your analysis on the BPS+ model!
Task • From the list below, select your media piece (film, book, television series). If you have an idea other than on the list, please email me well in advance for approval. • Provide an introduction and a brief and concise summary of the film/series. • Clearly define and explain the BPS+ model of addiction – in general and each aspect of the model. • Analyze the character you have chosen in your piece through each aspect of the BPS+ model and by drawing on all the relevant materials from the course to support your examples (readings, videos, posted material etc.) • Conclude your report with a statement of your personal take away learning from having completed the assignment • Do not spend all your effort on a mere summary of the book/film/show you are exploring. Do that briefly – no more than half a page. Reserve most of the space for demonstrating your understanding of the BPS+ model through detailed explanation of each aspect of the model and through your analysis – with solid connections to a wide variety of course resources.
Options for media selection:
A Star is Born
Grey’s Anatomy
Leaving Las Vegas
Queen’s Gambit
Flight
Indian Horse
28 Days
Beautiful Boy
Walk the Line
When a Man Loves a Woman
Devdas
Euphoria
The Glass Castle
Shameless
Mad Men
This is Us

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

 

The BPS+ Model of Addiction: Analyzing Addiction in “A Star is Born”

Introduction

“A Star is Born” is a 2018 musical drama film directed by Bradley Cooper, who also stars alongside Lady Gaga. The film follows the story of a seasoned musician, Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper), who discovers and falls in love with a struggling artist named Ally (Lady Gaga). As their relationship blossoms, Jackson’s addiction to alcohol and drugs threatens to derail both his career and their love.

The BPS+ Model of Addiction

The bio-psycho-social plus (BPS+) model of addiction provides a comprehensive framework for understanding addiction by considering multiple dimensions of the individual’s experience. The model consists of five key aspects:

Biological/Physiological: This aspect focuses on the biological factors that contribute to addiction, such as genetic predispositions, brain chemistry, and the impact of substances on the body.

Psychological: The psychological aspect explores the emotional and cognitive factors that influence addiction, including coping mechanisms, trauma, mental health disorders, and self-esteem.

Social: The social aspect examines how addiction is influenced by social factors such as peer pressure, family dynamics, cultural norms, socioeconomic status, and access to substances.

Cultural: The cultural aspect explores how addiction is shaped by cultural beliefs, values, and attitudes towards substance use. It considers the influence of media, societal expectations, and cultural rituals surrounding substances.

Spiritual: The spiritual aspect acknowledges the role of spirituality or a sense of purpose in addiction and recovery. It encompasses finding meaning and connection beyond the physical realm.

Analysis of Jackson Maine in “A Star is Born”

Biological/Physiological Aspect:

Jackson Maine’s addiction to alcohol and drugs can be partially understood through the biological aspect of the BPS+ model. Research suggests that genetic factors play a role in addiction susceptibility, and Jackson’s father’s struggles with alcoholism hint at a possible genetic predisposition. Additionally, the film portrays the physiological effects of substance abuse on Jackson’s body, such as his declining health and diminishing performance abilities.

Psychological Aspect:

The psychological aspect of the BPS+ model is evident in Jackson’s character. He grapples with feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt, which are intensified by his fame and the pressure to maintain his musical career. Throughout the film, it becomes clear that Jackson uses substances as a coping mechanism to numb his emotional pain and self-medicate for his underlying mental health issues.

Social Aspect:

The social aspect of the BPS+ model is exemplified in Jackson’s relationship with his brother Bobby (Sam Elliott) and his manager Rez (Rafi Gavron). Bobby enables Jackson’s addiction by turning a blind eye to his destructive behavior, while Rez prioritizes Jackson’s success over his well-being. The influence of fame and the music industry also contribute to Jackson’s substance abuse, as he is surrounded by a culture that normalizes excessive partying and drug use.

Cultural Aspect:

The cultural aspect of addiction is portrayed through the music industry’s glamorization of substance abuse. “A Star is Born” highlights how cultural beliefs and expectations surrounding fame can contribute to an individual’s vulnerability to addiction. Additionally, societal attitudes towards addiction play a role in shaping Jackson’s experiences, as he faces judgment and stigma from both the media and the public.

Spiritual Aspect:

The spiritual aspect in “A Star is Born” is represented through Ally’s character, who provides Jackson with a sense of purpose and connection beyond his substance use. However, Jackson’s addiction ultimately hinders his ability to find fulfillment in their relationship and inhibits his growth on a spiritual level.

Personal Takeaway

Analyzing addiction through the lens of the BPS+ model in “A Star is Born” has deepened my understanding of the complex interplay between biological, psychological, social, cultural, and spiritual factors in addiction. It has highlighted the importance of considering all these dimensions when addressing addiction treatment and prevention strategies. Furthermore, this analysis serves as a reminder that addiction is not solely an individual problem but rather a multifaceted issue that requires a holistic approach for effective intervention.

In conclusion, “A Star is Born” provides a compelling narrative that exemplifies how addiction can infiltrate an individual’s life and relationships. By applying the BPS+ model of addiction to Jackson Maine’s character, we gain valuable insights into the various dimensions that contribute to addiction. This analysis serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing all aspects of addiction when seeking to understand and support individuals struggling with substance abuse.

 

 

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