ADDICTION - Smethers, John E

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Biographie:
that addiction is not in fact an illness or a disease. Dr Smethers discusses various types of addiction, explaining how chemical dependency is only part of the big picture. He offers a parable to illustrate how the general public has come to misunderstand the condition of addiction and dispels the ubiquitous tendency to label all addicts as worthless scumbags and other negative epithets. Having been an addict himself for thirty years, the author tops off the Foreword with some autobiographical information to support the contention that most addicts are more comfortable with educators, psychotherapists, clergy, and authors who have led lives similar to their own, especially when it comes to addiction and recovery. Most of the general public, if asked, would likely be more impressed with professionals in the helping professions with masters degrees and PhDs, believing them to be more qualified than, say, a recovered addict with a two-year certificate in drug and alcohol counseling. But those educated types who have never been addicted to drugs and/or alcohol don't impress those suffering from chemical dependency. They, for the most part, want to be helped by someone who's actually been there. Drug offenders represent 60 % of federal prisoners and over one-third of state and county prisoners. This doesn't include those who have committed crimes while under the influence, or who were committing crime in order to fund access to their drug of choice. Our drug abusing/addicted sons, brothers, husbands, friends and co-workers consistently lie, cheat, and steal, and there's seemingly little chance for permanent, intrinsic change. Physicians, mental health professionals, the criminal justice system, social scientists, and the clergy offer plenty of advice about how to deal with addiction, but even the best advice seldom changes the emotional truth. Most family members of drug addicts live with strong feelings of resentment and frustration - yet love and hope persist. These families are pulled in two opposing directions...

Sommaire:
Although the American Medical Association would have us believe otherwise, this innovative book asserts that addicts are not 'sick' &ndash...