Much ado has been made about Amy Winhouse’s tragic death – in no small part because it’s suspected that it was a drug related death, and of course her biggest hit song was titled “Rehab” and is perceived as expressing an anti-change / anti-sobriety message. I see it differently. I think “Rehab” was an anti-coercion anthem.
Author: Steven Slate
Steven Slate has personally taught hundreds of people how to change their substance use habits through choice - while avoiding the harmful recovery culture and disease model of addiction.
A Critic’s View of Drugs, Music, and Creativity
Drugs and art, art and drugs. Is drug use and addiction a necessary evil for the artist? The myth that the best modern music is the result of drug use pervades our culture despite some important weaknesses in this assumption. Let’s examine some critical issues in this debate.
Truth About Prohibition
Check this statement from Tazewell County Virginia’s Commonwealth Attorney: “If you take away drug addiction, it would put us out of a job,” Lee said. “About 80 percent of crimes committed are related to drugs.” Source
A True Classic: Rat Park Criticizes Addiction Research Methods
A fresh look at the classic, yet underrated addiction study: Rat Park.
Sports Writers Waiting For Player’s Relapse, and Insulting Real Victims
Baseball player Josh Hamilton was involved in a freak accident which ended in a fan’s death. With a history of addiction, the sports media is concerned Hamilton may relapse over guilt about the incident.
Conceptual Confusion In Modern Neuroscience
Consider these important philosophical questions in the brain disease of addiction debate: Do brains use substances, or do people use substances? Does the brain walk down to the store, buy a drink, open it, and drink it – or does a person do all of that? Does a brain seek pleasure – or does a person?
Substance Use, Abuse, and Addiction – Defined.
Learn some more helpful and constructive definitions of substance use, substance abuse, and addiction.
Public Shaming In The Irish Times
An idiot alleged that an article in which I was quoted was guilty of shaming people with addiction. Then went on to shame the author and myself. I reply to it here, and show you how to see through the game played by such mental midgets.
Surviving Straight Inc, a Controlling Approach To Addiction Treatment Brings Disastrous Consequences
Straight Inc is one horrific example of what a controlling approach to rehabilitation results in: physical and psychological abuse. A new documentary uses survivor stories to bring you into the world of Straight Inc. Explore the “control model” approach to addiction treatment. We contrast the effects of a control model approach and efforts at self-change through personal stories of a Straight Inc victim and his younger sister.
Clean Slate in The Irish Times
Lara Marlowe had a great article in this past weekend’s edition of Dublin’s top newspaper, The Irish Times. The piece, titled How US obsession with addiction has spawned a rehab industry, asks some basic questions about the us rehab industry. I had a great conversation with Lara, and she seemed genuinely shocked to find that most… Continue reading Clean Slate in The Irish Times