The articles in this section apply a naturalistic, cause and effect understanding of human agency to the problem of drug-induced addiction. Drugs, including alcohol and nicotine, are often the source of behavioral problems since they have immediate and powerful effects on the neural pathways that govern behavior. Addiction is explicable as a physical, brain-based phenomenon. But understanding that the voluntary choice to use addictive substances is equally physical and brain-based, albeit influenced by situational factors, is key to effective and compassionate approaches to the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders. These points get covered in an article titled "To help addicts, look beyond the fiction of free will" written for The Scientist.
Addiction and Drugs
Articles in this Section
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The causal story behind addiction can help us design compassionate, non-punitive approaches to changing behavior.
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A thorough understanding of the bio-behavioral disorder of addiction leads to a reduction in punitive attitudes toward addicts and renewed attention to the environmental determinants of addiction.
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A New York Times article by Michael Massing.
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The causal story of addiction gives us control and generates compassion.
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A friendly critique of a statement on addiction by Alan Leshner, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
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Pragmatic determinism applied to our understanding of addiction can mitigate punitive blame and stigma.
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This paper applies pragmatic determinism to the "choice model" of addiction with the aim of reducing blame and stigma for those with substance use disorders.
Sub-sections
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As a researcher and evaluator of drug abuse treatment and prevention programs, I've written some op-eds in the Boston Globe on drug policy.
Related Content from Other Sections
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Determinism and Destigmatization: Mitigating Blame for Addiction,
Article
This paper applies pragmatic determinism to the "choice model" of addiction with the aim of reducing blame and stigma for those with substance use disorders.
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Pragmatic determinism: could you have done otherwise?,
Article
A talk on coming to terms with determinism.
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Origins of Addiction,
External Resource
An October 8, 2004 letter to the editor of the National Catholic Reporter commenting on George J. Bryjack's article "It's never our fault these days" in the Sept 10, 2004 issue.
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Choosing Irrationality,
Book Review
Gene Heyman’s well-written and persuasive book, Addiction: A Disorder of Choice, (link is external) takes dead aim at the disease model of addiction.
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Choice and Free Will: Beyond the Disease Model of Addiction,
External Resource
Article on the website AddictionInfo: Alternatives to 12-Step Treatment.
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Naturalism and Self-Control,
Talk
How can naturalism help us make better choices, be more creative, be more productive, and achieve our goals? A presentation for Boston Causality Club.
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Addiction Is a Choice,
Book Review
Jeffrey Schaler believes addiction, even in its final compulsive stages, is simply a personal choice.