Product Description

The author refutes the widely held idea that addiction is involuntary, genetically determined, or a physical or mental illness. He offers convincing arguments that "addiction" is a decision made by someone in order to find meaning and purpose in life. He explains why public policies, based on the incorrect beliefs that addiction is a disease or involuntary behaviour, are ineffective and even encourage addiction by allowing people to feel powerless and demoralized about their inability to break the habit. The volume covers all types of addiction, from drugs and alcohol to gambling, smoking, and sex addiction.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #278614 in Books
• Published on: 1999-12-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 179 pages

Customer Reviews

ultimately reductive
Ultimately reductive, September 14, 2007
By Ellie "ellie303" (ber mon sea) - See all my reviews




Reasons for and solutions to addiction cannot yet be numbered. For a professional to suggest that the answer is to have 'courage' is reductive and judgmental. Those people that have the courage to leap from tall buildings in an attempt to end their nightmare have more courage than I do, and more than the good doctor has ever had need to summon, I'm sure. We do not yet have the answer to this question and in the meantime AA does a sterling job for some. The rest of us are still seeking. For me, Dr Schaler does not have the answer

Ignorant, obsessive, outdated.
Schaler is a man with an axe to grind, who turns scientific method on its head. Instead of approaching this issue with an open mind and basing his conclusions on the careful collection, analysis and evaluation of evidence, Schaler starts out with an opinion and then stops at nothing in his attempt to validate it.

Most of this book is simply a polemical rant against those who hold that addiction is a definable disease with observable signs and symptoms, a predictable progression and known outcomes.

Schaler has one big problem. The evidence is against him. In particular, recent genetic research shows not only that the predisposition to addictive behaviours is inherited but that it arises from specific defects in the production, metabolising and reuptake of neurotransmitters.

This book was out of date before it was even published. It is an astonishing display of ignorance, bigotry and professional bitterness. Its author, however, is more to be pitied than vilified. He seems to have some severe problems.

an interesting read
this is a very unusual read with the ideas expressed being interesting and well thought out. However, too much of this book is devoted to the author slating self help organisations in a way which starts to sound almost bitter towards the end. I must also point out that this book is written from an almost entirely american point of view.

It is of amusement to me that the main point of the book seems to be that "treatment" for drug users on the whole does not work. I am currently employed within the substance misuse field working with drug users and I find it very hard to disagree with that statement!

worth reading.