The Globalization of Addiction presents a radical rethink about the nature of addiction. Scientific medicine has failed when it comes to addiction. There are no reliable methods to cure it, prevent it, or take the pain out of it. There is no durable consensus on what addiction is, what causes it, or what should be done about it. Meanwhile, it continues to increase around the world. This book argues that the cause of this failure to control addiction is that the conventional wisdom ofthe 19th and 20th centuries focused too single-mindedly on the afflicted individual addict. Although addiction obviously manifests itself in individual cases, its prevalence differs dramatically between societies. For example, it can be quite rare in a society for centuries, and then become common when a tribal culture is destroyed or a highly developed civilization collapses. When addiction becomes commonplace in a society, people become addicted not only to alcohol and drugs, but to a thousand other destructive pursuits: money, power, dysfunctional relationships, or video games. A social perspective on addiction does not deny individual differences in vulnerability to addiction, but it removes them from the foreground of attention, because social determinants are more powerful. This book shows that the social circumstances that spread addiction in a conquered tribe or a falling civilisation are also built into today's globalizing free-market society. A free-market society is magnificently productive, but it subjects people to irresistible pressures towards individualism and competition, tearing rich and poor alike from the close social and spiritual ties that normally constitute human life. People adapt to their dislocation by finding the best substitutes for a sustaining social and spiritual life that they can, and addiction serves this function all too well. The book argues that the most effective response to a growing addiction problem is a social and political one, rather than an individual one. Such a solution would not put the doctors, psychologists, social workers, policemen, and priests out of work, but it would incorporate their practices in a larger social project. The project is to reshape society with enough force and imagination to enable people to find social integration and meaning in everyday life. Then great numbers of them would not need to fill their inner void with addictions.
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"...a considerable work, highly ambitious in its scope, impressive in its multidisciplinary scholarship, clear in its structure and generous in its references...a fundamental critique of the 20th century view of addiction." nth position online Jan 09
"This fascinating and unique book explores the problem of addiction using a nontraditional approach...a refreshing look at an age-old problem." --Doody's Notes Dec 2008
"This is, without a doubt, the most intriguing and painstaking book on addiction I have read for some time...The Globalisation of Addiction is scholarly, meticulously researched, passionately critical of the free-market economy, biased, speculative, selective, and quite wonderful...highly recommended...this is one of the most remarkable addiction texts of the decade." --John B. Davies, Addiction Research and Theory 2008
"This fascinating and unique book explores the problem of addiction using a nontraditional approach...a refreshing look at an age-old problem." --Doody's Notes Dec 2008
"This is, without a doubt, the most intriguing and painstaking book on addiction I have read for some time...The Globalisation of Addiction is scholarly, meticulously researched, passionately critical of the free-market economy, biased, speculative, selective, and quite wonderful...highly recommended...this is one of the most remarkable addiction texts of the decade." --John B. Davies, Addiction Research and Theory 2008
About the Author
Bruce Alexander is a psychologist and Professor Emeritus at Simon Fraser University, where he has worked since 1970. His primary research interest has been the psychology of addiction. He is best known in the UK for the "Rat Park" experiments, which helped to demonstrate the falsity of the outworn belief that simple exposure to narcotic drugs can cause addiction. In Canada, he has been well known as a critic of the War on Drugs for decades. His most recent work has been on the causes of the current worldwide proliferation of addiction, not only to drugs, but to a great variety of other habits and pursuits. Exploring this topic has required that he venture far beyond his training in psychology, particularly into the fields of history and anthropology.
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Most helpful customer reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
I do not easily give superlatives in my praise of books but this one is truly exceptional. It presents a very valuable and well-written account and I can only recommend it most strongly. I think that the study could prove of momentous importance in how we view the world in the 21st century. If only its message were to be taken to heart, we could spare an immense amount of human suffering. Professor Alexander delivers a convincing case that we are manufacturing addiction by the process of economic globalization and the social dislocation that inevitably goes with it. As is made clear, addiction is not something confined to chemicals but spans a whole range from sex, through gambling to the quest for material possessions. The argument takes the author far and wide (to Adolph Eichmann, St Augustine and Socrates amongst others) and occasionally the reader might wonder quite where the argument is going but just in time the author brings it back to a sharp focus and relevance.
Given the monumental task that Professor Alexander sets himself and accomplishes, it would be churlish to point to omissions. Rather, I would call these `points that might be considered for further theorizing'. The reader looking for an integrative biopsychosocial perspective on addiction will not find it here since the book justifiably concentrates on the social dimension. One can only wonder why it is that the drugs and other activities that become addictive are ones that trigger dopaminergic neurotransmission. How is it that such neurotransmission seems to lock into a dynamic interaction with the external objects of addiction? Does a dopamine-opioid link necessarily underlie each addiction? Why, for example, do magic mushrooms, ecstasy or LSD not seem to lead to addiction? What might the neurobiology of bonding and attachment, as described by Jaak Panksepp, say about the objects of addiction? Why do some people with Parkinson's disease develop addictions after taking medication that boosts dopaminergic neurotransmission? One might argue that they were already showing mild dislocation but then the argument would become circular.
These are points for further reflection and research and they in no way detract from the power and insightfulness of this book. Every politician, town planner, police chief and lawyer should be required to read it before being allowed to take office.
Frederick Toates
Professor of Biological Psychology
Open University
Given the monumental task that Professor Alexander sets himself and accomplishes, it would be churlish to point to omissions. Rather, I would call these `points that might be considered for further theorizing'. The reader looking for an integrative biopsychosocial perspective on addiction will not find it here since the book justifiably concentrates on the social dimension. One can only wonder why it is that the drugs and other activities that become addictive are ones that trigger dopaminergic neurotransmission. How is it that such neurotransmission seems to lock into a dynamic interaction with the external objects of addiction? Does a dopamine-opioid link necessarily underlie each addiction? Why, for example, do magic mushrooms, ecstasy or LSD not seem to lead to addiction? What might the neurobiology of bonding and attachment, as described by Jaak Panksepp, say about the objects of addiction? Why do some people with Parkinson's disease develop addictions after taking medication that boosts dopaminergic neurotransmission? One might argue that they were already showing mild dislocation but then the argument would become circular.
These are points for further reflection and research and they in no way detract from the power and insightfulness of this book. Every politician, town planner, police chief and lawyer should be required to read it before being allowed to take office.
Frederick Toates
Professor of Biological Psychology
Open University
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Dichromat
I have an addiction problem. I've been in recovery for over 10 years. I'm well acquainted with the 12 steps.
Most people I know in recovery have a world view where they see a lot of problems in society that "feel" like they are related to addiction.
We all know there is a deep spiritual problem behind the way so many people can be multi-addicted and/or switch addictions.
Prof. Alexander brings a coherent vision to all of this, and at the same time better informs the 12 step practitioner that there are other roads to recovery.
He contrasts the problem of not-high-probability recovery for individuals (by any method) with the broader problem of living in a societal addiction generator. He suggests that insightful adjustments to the generator offer the best promise for effective action.
I appreciate the delicate balance he tries to bring to the discussion. As an example, his discussion of "us" and "them" sees elements of both within a single individual.
I think he shows careful balance in all aspects of his discussions, but this will be less apparent for those who are less aware of living in an unbalanced way!
It has been through the study of history that Prof Alexander gained important insights, and I appreciate his copious references to back up his views. And I got a kick out of some of his unexpected historical information.
I also appreciate his call to action for all of us to try to help alleviate the situation in many diverse ways.
This is a very important book in the context of human history. I believe Prof. Alexander is correct that if we fail to deal with the growing avalanche of diverse addictions sweeping the world, the consequence will be to greatly magnify the difficulty of dealing with all our other considerable problems.
Most people I know in recovery have a world view where they see a lot of problems in society that "feel" like they are related to addiction.
We all know there is a deep spiritual problem behind the way so many people can be multi-addicted and/or switch addictions.
Prof. Alexander brings a coherent vision to all of this, and at the same time better informs the 12 step practitioner that there are other roads to recovery.
He contrasts the problem of not-high-probability recovery for individuals (by any method) with the broader problem of living in a societal addiction generator. He suggests that insightful adjustments to the generator offer the best promise for effective action.
I appreciate the delicate balance he tries to bring to the discussion. As an example, his discussion of "us" and "them" sees elements of both within a single individual.
I think he shows careful balance in all aspects of his discussions, but this will be less apparent for those who are less aware of living in an unbalanced way!
It has been through the study of history that Prof Alexander gained important insights, and I appreciate his copious references to back up his views. And I got a kick out of some of his unexpected historical information.
I also appreciate his call to action for all of us to try to help alleviate the situation in many diverse ways.
This is a very important book in the context of human history. I believe Prof. Alexander is correct that if we fail to deal with the growing avalanche of diverse addictions sweeping the world, the consequence will be to greatly magnify the difficulty of dealing with all our other considerable problems.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
5.0 out of 5 stars
2 reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very important book. Strongly recommend.
April 19 2010
By Frederick M. Toates
- Published on Amazon.com
I do not easily give superlatives in my praise of books but this one is truly exceptional. It presents a very valuable and well-written account and I can only recommend it most strongly. I think that the study could prove of momentous importance in how we view the world in the 21st century. If only its message were to be taken to heart, we could spare an immense amount of human suffering. Professor Alexander delivers a convincing case that we are manufacturing addiction by the process of economic globalization and the social dislocation that inevitably goes with it. As is made clear, addiction is not something confined to chemicals but spans a whole range from sex, through gambling to the quest for material possessions. The argument takes the author far and wide (to Adolph Eichmann, St Augustine and Socrates amongst others) and occasionally the reader might wonder quite where the argument is going but just in time the author brings it back to a sharp focus and relevance.
Given the monumental task that Professor Alexander sets himself and accomplishes, it would be churlish to point to omissions. Rather, I would call these `points that might be considered for further theorizing'. The reader looking for an integrative biopsychosocial perspective on addiction will not find it here since the book justifiably concentrates on the social dimension. One can only wonder why it is that the drugs and other activities that become addictive are ones that trigger dopaminergic neurotransmission. How is it that such neurotransmission seems to lock into a dynamic interaction with the external objects of addiction? Does a dopamine-opioid link necessarily underlie each addiction? Why, for example, do magic mushrooms, ecstasy or LSD not seem to lead to addiction? What might the neurobiology of bonding and attachment, as described by Jaak Panksepp, say about the objects of addiction? Why do some people with Parkinson's disease develop addictions after taking medication that boosts dopaminergic neurotransmission? One might argue that they were already showing mild dislocation but then the argument would become circular.
These are points for further reflection and research and they in no way detract from the power and insightfulness of this book. Every politician, town planner, police chief and lawyer should be required to read it before being allowed to take office.
Frederick Toates
Professor of Biological Psychology
Open University
Given the monumental task that Professor Alexander sets himself and accomplishes, it would be churlish to point to omissions. Rather, I would call these `points that might be considered for further theorizing'. The reader looking for an integrative biopsychosocial perspective on addiction will not find it here since the book justifiably concentrates on the social dimension. One can only wonder why it is that the drugs and other activities that become addictive are ones that trigger dopaminergic neurotransmission. How is it that such neurotransmission seems to lock into a dynamic interaction with the external objects of addiction? Does a dopamine-opioid link necessarily underlie each addiction? Why, for example, do magic mushrooms, ecstasy or LSD not seem to lead to addiction? What might the neurobiology of bonding and attachment, as described by Jaak Panksepp, say about the objects of addiction? Why do some people with Parkinson's disease develop addictions after taking medication that boosts dopaminergic neurotransmission? One might argue that they were already showing mild dislocation but then the argument would become circular.
These are points for further reflection and research and they in no way detract from the power and insightfulness of this book. Every politician, town planner, police chief and lawyer should be required to read it before being allowed to take office.
Frederick Toates
Professor of Biological Psychology
Open University
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Eye-opening
Oct 15 2010
By Ursula Heflick
- Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase
This book provides great information about the context in which addictions can blossom and grab a hold of individuals. It also attempts to redefine addiction itself and does a great job with that formidable task. Alexander's thorough discussion should be read by every addiction counselor who has become frustrated with the frequently unsuccessful treatment approaches to which they are supposed to subscribe.
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