There’s a great article discussing everything from the drug war & legalization to the brain disease model of addiction on the Mises Institute site. Here’s an excerpt, check it out:
When people take drugs, their brain functioning changes. When they have sex, cuddle their toddler, or eat chocolate, similar changes occur in the same brain centers. Do changes in the brain tell us anything about the person’s behavior or its motivation? Hardly. Can we draw conclusions about whether the connubially preoccupied is addicted to sex from the fact that certain centers in the brain–the very same centers that react when drugs are taken–perk up when said individual has sex? Of course not. When people recover from addiction–by any means at all–their brain functioning changes once again. This does not amount to saying that addiction is organic or biological in the sense that appendicitis or diabetes is.
Everything we do involves our brains, and brains alter their physical structure and functioning in response to the environment. We could just as well say that learning French is a biological accomplishment, though most of us would rather call it an intellectual achievement
Except for one thing – the brains of those who ARE addicted are slightly different from other brains to begin with. They have too many of particular kinds of receptors that give more than the usual “punch” to the high created by alcohol or drugs. This is established brain science. If you have ever observed someone in drug or alcohol withdrawal, or the cravings – physical and emotional – they experience when they try to make this “change like any other change…in their lifestyles,” you would not be so cavalier.
Been through it. Detoxed on my own countless times. In jail. On methadone. And in detox.
I haven’t had a drug problem since 2002. Heroin was my main drug. I got my tonsils removed in April, and then I had to take a dozen percocets a day for 2 weeks. Guess what? I didn’t crave. I didn’t go nuts. I didn’t seek out any kind of opiates. I didn’t want more of them, and haven’t wanted them since, though I will absolutely take them should I need them in the future.
Cavalier means “showing a lack of proper concern.” I am EXTREMELY concerned about the nonsense pseudo-science and scare tactics shoved down the throats of drug users. I take it very serious. Maybe, just maybe, this website serves as proof of my concern??? I welcome dissenting opinions, but I do not welcome questioning of my motives or character. I assume most everyone I disagree with advances the theories I disagree with because they care and are concerned and want the best for people. I just happen to think they’re mistaken.
-Steven (the author of this article)