Abstract

The distinction between first- and second-order ability in the philosophy of action enables new clarity in the discussion of behavioral control in addiction. Addiction involves automated patterns of thought and behavior that undermine the first-order ability to reliably abstain. However, addicts retain a second-order ability to reliably abstain if they remain able to learn the “epistemic prerequisites” of reliable abstinence, including addiction-specific metacognitive skills and cue-avoidance strategies. The second-order ability to reliably abstain depends to a significant extent on socio-economic situation and access to the right social resources. This “Epistemic Prerequisites Model” supports the view that addiction is a compulsion, and suggests that moral responsibility in addiction depends on factors relating to both orders of ability.