This work focuses on understanding the role of the decision-making process in addiction within the theoretical framework of predictive processing. Despite existing research on addiction and the connection between decision-making and addiction, there is still room for additional applied findings that can offer concrete solutions for treatment and living with addiction. From a neurobiological perspective, the reward system plays a crucial role in addiction; however, from the viewpoint of predictive processing, the reward is a consequence, not a cause, of the organism's actions, as the organism makes decisions to fulfil predictions that will lead to a reward. The aim is to examine how predictive processing can contribute to a better understanding of the role of the decision-making process in addiction and what new perspectives and directions this approach can open for future research and treatment of addiction. With a focus on theoretical analysis of scientific findings, we aim to answer research questions related to: the role of decision-making in addiction, understanding the decision-making process from the perspective of predictive processing, using this framework to explain the role of decision-making in addiction, and gaining new insights into the role of decision-making in addiction. The expected contribution of the research is to clarify the complexity of addiction with an emphasis on decision-making and to provide new perspectives and directions for addressing this problem. The research is not based on empirical methodology but on a critical analysis of relevant literature. With the acquired insights, we aim to encourage new approaches to addiction treatment and contribute to a broader understanding of the complexity of this phenomenon.
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