Marc Lewis - This Neuroscientist Argues That Addiction Is Not a Disease and Rehab Is Bullshit

[ML Dog]

wtf he's giving HIS OPINION. In fact he says as such in his conclusion. "That's what I think it is'

"Thats what I think it is anyways" is from an interview about the book, not from the book itself and uttered less as a disclaimer ala: "this is just my opinion" than as a celebratory reminder to the interviewer & those who'd read the interview of the greatness of himself ala: "it was great & briliiant ME who was smart enough to figure this out", a posture displayed throughout this work by Lewis' (convenient) failure to distinguish what of the NeuroScience he cites is commonly acccepted NeuroScientific fact and what of that are his own conclusions in this area.

Displayed in fact within the very title of the book itself:

The Biology of Desire: Why Addiction Is Not a Disease
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which more accurately titled would've been

The Biology of Desire: Why Addiction Is Not a Disease (unless later discoveries about the human brain prove me wrong)


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That "sured-ness"....you know? The "Marketing" aspect is what I have issue with primarily and secondarily the "Ego" that'd be required to accept oneself being postured as one that has brought to the table some groundbreakingly new & unprecedented ideology which, as evidenced by the responses in this thread....we knew already.

I'm merely suggesting that we don't yet have a comprehensive enough understanding of the Human Brain to frame theories about addiction in the confident tone that Lewis and a company that wants to sell books....do in this instance, as though Lewis has solved a great mystery.

Just a "LOL" moment on my part to someone writing an 800 page book informing us of something we already knew but knew also that we did not know (for sure) because not enough is known about the brain, for us to truly know.

You know?

 

[Ricboff]

certainly, Richoff

Western medicine gives a mostly impatient nod to the effects of the mind over body. While they will in most cases encourage patients to "stay positive", giving credence to a notion that all disease is first inspired by unhealthy thinking causes great dismay.

They instead want to quantify only the physical similarities (or lack thereof) between cases with related symptoms which is instantly faulty because every human body is literally unique - as you note in your reference to 'identical' twins.

mind over matter? that ties nicely to the aspect of the article I wholeheartedly agree with ; that labeling addiction as a 'disease' can be counter productive to its management.

mind over matter? indeed and this ties nicely with the aspect of the author article that i agree with; laebling addiction a disease likely does not postivley affect the afflicted.




like you, i thik the western world should give more credence towards mental health (and DIET a huge one for me) . That is, how mental outlook can in itself be 'healing' to the body. The most simplistic , gross evidence for this is seen in the Placebo effect. That is , the patient is afflicted with an illness. Patient sees the healer as having the energy /knowledge to fix his/her affliction. The healer gives him/her an innocuous pill and the affliction is gone. 'doc i feel much better!!! thanks!' . Do NOT underestimate the power of the Placebo effect. Humbling. The 'pill' does not contain anything that actually targets the illness; saline,






how about the 'nonebo effect'? In this case the patient tells of new symptoms or side effects from THE prescribed PLACEBO....double smiley!!!!!!! .


of ocurse the idea that the mind can affect the body and be used as a treatment modality has been around for over 1000yrs...not that popular in North America

 

[Ricboff]

sorry about the confusion in the above post (repeated first line!!); couldnt post from cell, so gathered my thoughts in an email then instead of re-writing all ; copied and paste.....dagone........

 

[silver7]

If you believe that, then it is most certainly true for you.

I became an expert on what behavior denotes an alcoholic during the time I stopped drinking from 1993-2004.

In that year I returned to occasional use of alcohol and have never once in these past 12 years demonstrated behaviors of alcoholism. I probably have had a total of a dozen drinks in the past 12 months, all of my own free will.

There are millions of Americans just like me who previously demonstrated alcoholic behavior and who today drink without adverse effects.

Nothing "owns me". I am 100% responsible for my thoughts and behaviors.

If you personally believe that one drink would inspire you to return to unwanted behaviors, then it is wise you choose to abstainm

What may I ask was your exhibition of "alcoholic behavior"??

 

[ML Dog]

of course the idea that the mind can affect the body and be used as a treatment modality has been around for over 1000yrs...not that popular in North America

I rest my case. More Power to Lewis' though if he can sell a ton of books, get on a bunch of talk shows 'n stack up some Duckies...he has "walked the walk" at least something that can't be said of many who presume to speak upon various topics and really I hope this book does get read by as many addicts as possible because to my opinion the more ammunition one has with which to battle for recovery the better and the 5 case studies featured within the book do carve a pathway towards hope, an encouragement to others that they too can overcome.

To me a big key is SUPPORT. I may overestimate the importance, to overcoming addictive behavior, of having people around to whom one could (ideally) be made to feel accountable to, as pockets said in the end you've got to face The Demons Mano a Mano, but I just hope that Lewis' theories don't lead to a minimization of Support, Fellowship as vital within a Recovery Plan...just personally how I feel about it.