Addiction: A Disorder of Choice A Disorder of Choice

In a book sure to inspire controversy, Gene Heyman argues that conventional wisdom about addiction—that it is a disease, a compulsion beyond conscious control—is wrong. Drawing on psychiatric epidemiology, addicts’ 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 Heyman’s 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. Heyman’s analysis of well-established but frequently ignored research leads to unexpected insights into how we make choices—from obesity to McMansionization—all 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. (20090526)

in A Book Sure To Inspire Controversy, Gene Heyman Argues That Conventional Wisdom About Addiction—that It Is A Disease, A Compulsion Beyond Conscious Control—is Wrong.

drawing On Psychiatric Epidemiology, Addicts’ 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 Heyman’s 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.

heyman’s Analysis Of Well-established But Frequently Ignored Research Leads To Unexpected Insights Into How We Make Choices—from Obesity To Mcmansionization—all 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.

charlie Gillis - Maclean's

the Idea That Addiction Is A Disease Is An Article Of Faith In The Study Of Drug And Alcohol Dependence, Providing The Foundation For Much Of The Treatment And Public Policy Related To Addiction Since The Early 1900s. In [addiction], Psychologist Gene Heyman Dismantles This Time-honored Assumption, Arguing That Addiction Is First And Foremost Governed By Personal Choice, And Does Not Therefore Fit Clinical Conceptions Of Behavioral Illness.

In A Book Sure To Inspire Controversy, Gene Heyman argues that conventional wisdom about addiction-that it is a disease, a compulsion beyond conscious control-is wrong. Drawing on psychiatric epidemiology, addicts' autobiographies, treatment studies, and advances in behavioral economics, Heyman makes a powerful case that addiction is voluntary.

Christopher Caldwell - Financial Times

We have a justice system that treats drug use as a malevolent act of will (to be punished) and a medical profession that treats it as an unfortunate disease (to be cured). Who is right? In a magnificent new book, Addiction: A Disorder of Choice, Gene M. Heyman, a lecturer in psychology at Harvard Medical School, argues that it is not his fellow medical professionals...Heyman shows that the ordinary dynamics of human decision-making are sufficient to bring addiction into line with what we know about other, non-addictive behaviors...No one chooses to be an addict, as the saying goes. Mr Heyman shows that this is wrong--or at least that this is the wrong way of getting at the problem...Maybe nobody would choose to be an addict. But being an addict is not what substance abusers are choosing. They are choosing a momentary action, not a lifetime identity. This is a rich book that reverberates far beyond the field of addiction studies. Attentive readers will find in it lessons about debt-financed consumerism, environmental spoliation and the whole, vast range of self-destructive behavior that we engage in out of self-interest.

"In a book sure to inspire controversy, Gene Heyman argues that conventional wisdom about addiction -- that it is a disease, a compulsion beyond conscious control -- is wrong. Drawing on psychiatric epidemiology, addicts' 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?"--Book jacket This book argues that conventional wisdom about addiction—that it is a disease, a compulsion beyond conscious control—is wrong. Drawing on psychiatric epidemiology, addicts’ autobiographies, treatment studies, and advances in behavioral economics, the text proposes that addiction is voluntary. The conditions that promote quitting a drug addiction include knowledge, cultural values, and the costs and benefits of further drug use. Through an analysis of well-established but frequently ignored research, unexpected insights are gained into how we make choices In a book sure to inspire controversy, Gene Heyman argues that conventional wisdom about addiction - that it is a disease, a compulsion beyond conscious control - is wrong. At the heart of Heyman's analysis is a startling view of choice and motivation that applies to all choices, not just the choice to use drugs. Heyman's analysis of well-established but frequently ignored research leads to unexpected insights into how we make choices - from obesity to McMansionization - all rooted in our deep-seated tendency to consume too much of whatever we like best Contents ......Page 6 Preface ......Page 8 1. Responses to Addiction ......Page 14 2. The First Drug Epidemic ......Page 34 3. Addiction in the First Person ......Page 57 4. Once an Addict, Always an Addict? ......Page 78 5. Voluntary Behavior, Disease, and Addiction ......Page 102 6. Addiction and Choice ......Page 128 7. Voluntary Behavior: An Engine for Change ......Page 155 Notes ......Page 188 References ......Page 193 Index ......Page 210 "In a book sure to inspire controversy, Gene Heyman argues that conventional wisdom about addiction--that it is a disease, a compulsion beyond conscious control--is wrong. Drawing on psychiatric epidemiolioral economics, Heyman makes a powerful case that addiction is voluntary."--P. [4] of cover. "In a book sure to inspire controversy, Gene Heyman argues that conventional wisdom about addiction--that it is a disease, a compulsion beyond conscious control--is wrong. Drawing on psychiatric epidemiolioral economics, Heyman makes a powerful case that addiction is voluntary."--Page 4 of cover