addiction 💉

The term “dependence” has traditionally been used to describe “physical dependence,” which refers to the adaptations that result in withdrawal symptoms when drugs, such as alcohol and heroin, are discontinued. Physical dependence is also observed with certain psychoactive medications, such as antidepressants and beta-blockers. However, the adaptati

Drug dependence is not addiction—and it matters

Moreover, depending on something to function, in and of itself, is not pathological. Many people require a daily medication to keep a chronic condition in remission, for example insulin, blood thinners, anti-retroviral therapy, and anti-hypertensives. Dependence becomes a problem when people persist in using a substance despite its use causing harm... See more

Drug dependence is not addiction—and it matters

There have been a number of studies that survey overdose deaths across the country, but in particular, a study from NYU which compared Oregon's rates of overdose fatalities to data from states that didn't have decriminalization initiatives. What they found is that there was not any statistically meaningful difference between deaths in Oregon and de... See more

Drug recriminalization in Oregon: 5 Questions for attorney Jon Dennis

One thing I'd argue as a starting point is there is no "theory" or a "model" of addiction as a disease. The arguments associated with that claim are actually not that cohesive. A common position associated with addiction as a disease is that it is an essential category, which is an idea we can get our arms around a bit better and which I discuss ab... See more

Toward a Unified Field Theory of Human Flourishing

Just as I have never met anyone who chose to become addicted, neither have I met anyone whose addictions did not, at their onset at least, provide for some essential human need.

Gabor Mate • The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture

Addiction is in all of us. This argument has come to matter a great deal to me. The reason I care about it is that when I truly felt this notion in my bones, reading accounts of addiction and recovery from across history, it was profoundly reassuring and comforting. As I write at more length in the book, I developed a sense of fellowship with all t... See more

Toward a Unified Field Theory of Human Flourishing

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