Addiction: A Disorder of ChoiceIn a book sure to inspire controversy, Gene Heyman argues that conventional wisdom about addictionÑthat it is a disease, a compulsion beyond conscious controlÑis wrong. Drawing on psychiatric epidemiology, addictsÕ autobiographies, treatment studies, and advances in behavioral economics, Heyman makes a powerful case that addiction is voluntary. He shows that drug use, like all choices, is influenced by preferences and goals. But just as there are successful dieters, there are successful ex-addicts. In fact, addiction is the psychiatric disorder with the highest rate of recovery. But what ends an addiction? At the heart of HeymanÕs analysis is a startling view of choice and motivation that applies to all choices, not just the choice to use drugs. The conditions that promote quitting a drug addiction include new information, cultural values, and, of course, the costs and benefits of further drug use. Most of us avoid becoming drug dependent, not because we are especially rational, but because we loathe the idea of being an addict. HeymanÕs analysis of well-established but frequently ignored research leads to unexpected insights into how we make choicesÑfrom obesity to McMansionizationÑall rooted in our deep-seated tendency to consume too much of whatever we like best. As wealth increases and technology advances, the dilemma posed by addictive drugs spreads to new products. However, this remarkable and radical book points to a solution. If drug addicts typically beat addiction, then non-addicts can learn to control their natural tendency to take too much. |
Contents
1 Responses to Addiction | 1 |
2 The First Drug Epidemic | 21 |
3 Addiction in the First Person | 44 |
4 Once an Addict Always an Addict? | 65 |
5 Voluntary Behavior Disease and Addiction | 89 |
6 Addiction and Choice | 115 |
An Engine for Change | 142 |
Notes | 175 |
180 | |
197 | |
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Common terms and phrases
abstinence abuse According action activities acts addictive drugs alcohol approach basis become better brain called chapter Chinese choose chronic clinic cocaine cohort compulsive consequences correlates costs cravings criteria dependence described differences disease disorders drinking drug users eating effects et al example experience explain factors Figure findings frame function given global equilibrium graph heroin higher idea illicit drug important increase individual influence instance lead learned less levels meals means nature neurons opiate opium options panel pattern percent perspective play positive possible predicted presented problem programs psychiatric disorders quit rates reason recent reference reflect relapse reports response rewards role rules self-destructive shows similar smoking social story studies subjects substances suggests survey symptoms tion treatment turn typically understanding voluntary behavior