25 Jun 2012: Addiction is a Choice
I just picked up Jeffrey A. Schaler's Addiction is a Choice. It is a small book, but interesting. I am a little skeptical of some of the things he says, even though I largely agree with him. I came upon the book by doing a search for "Alcoholics Anonymous Cult."My main problem with it is his idea that addiction often masks other psychological problems. This may be true in some cases. But I think it opens the door for more of the same kind of 12 Step ridiculousness, only this time from the field of psychology.
It all seems very simple to me: if your drug use causes problems in your life and you don't think it is worth it, you should stop. It is like the old Henny Youngman joke: "I went to the doctor and told him it hurts when I do this..." He raises his arm. "And the doctor said, 'Don't do that.'" Of course, the only kind of psychology that I think much of is behavioral.
Anyway, this is from the back cover of Addiction is a Choice:
Politicians and the media tell us that people who take drugs, including alcohol or nicotine, cannot help themselves. They are supposedly victims of the disease of "addiction," and they need "treatment." The same goes for sex addicts, shopping addicts, food addicts, gambling addicts, or even addicts to abusive relationships.
This theory, which grew out of the Temperance movement and was developed and disseminated by the religious cult known as Alcoholics Anonymous, has not been confirmed by any factual research. Numerous scientific studies show that "addicts" are in control of their behavior.
Contrary to the shrill, mindless propaganda of the "war on drugs," very few of the people who use alcohol, marijuana, heroin, or cocaine will ever become "addicted," and of those who do become heavy drug users, most will mature out of it in time, without treatment. Research indicates that "treatment" is completely ineffective, an absolute waste of time and money.
Instead of looking at drug addiction as a disease, Dr. Schaler proposes that we view it as willful commitment or dedication, akin to joining a religion or pursuing a romantic involvement. While heavy consumption of drugs is often foolish and self-destructive, it is a matter of personal choice.
This theory, which grew out of the Temperance movement and was developed and disseminated by the religious cult known as Alcoholics Anonymous, has not been confirmed by any factual research. Numerous scientific studies show that "addicts" are in control of their behavior.
Contrary to the shrill, mindless propaganda of the "war on drugs," very few of the people who use alcohol, marijuana, heroin, or cocaine will ever become "addicted," and of those who do become heavy drug users, most will mature out of it in time, without treatment. Research indicates that "treatment" is completely ineffective, an absolute waste of time and money.
Instead of looking at drug addiction as a disease, Dr. Schaler proposes that we view it as willful commitment or dedication, akin to joining a religion or pursuing a romantic involvement. While heavy consumption of drugs is often foolish and self-destructive, it is a matter of personal choice.
MikeB wrote:
"Dr. Schaler proposes that we view it as willful commitment or dedication, akin to joining a religion or pursuing a romantic involvement. While heavy consumption of drugs is often foolish and self-destructive, it is a matter of personal choice."
I've experience the same kind of intense interest in other aspects of life (e.g. romance and mechanical engineering) that I have for certain drugs. That being said, I come to understand how some of these interests are certain better than others. The passage of time and coming into maturity have been my biggest help here.
Cost-benefit analyses can be very useful and I've arrived at certain obvious conclusions: such as this relationship is bad and I need to get out; just as taking this drug is decreasing the quality of my life and I need to get out. I might be wrong, but it seems to me almost any human is not only capable but rather good at such an analysis, with the exception perhaps of certain species atypical minorities (although even these groups I can't, off the top of my head, name).
The word of the day: "Nuanced"