Why the pervasive addiction myth is still believed

Richard Hammersley; Marie Reid

doi:10.1080/16066350290001687

Why the pervasive addiction myth is still believed

Richard Hammersley, Marie Reid

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article

Abstract

This paper characterises the myth of addiction and considers social mechanisms that may sustain this discourse about substance use problems in the face of counter-evidence. The myth is that substance use is typified by addiction, which is a dramatic, dangerous and chronic condition primarily caused by the biological effects of drugs. This myth is resilient and has been applied to different substances. Among the simple social mechanisms that may sustain the myth are that it provides a clear answer to drug problems and that it is socially-functional for a wide range of social groups (Davies, 1992. The Myth of Addiction. Reading, Harwood.).

Original language	English
Journal	Addiction Research and Theory
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/16066350290001687
Publication status	Published - 1 Feb 2002

Keywords

substance use
addiction

Documents and Links

10.1080/16066350290001687

http://researchonline.gcu.ac.uk/sls/176

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Hammersley, R., & Reid, M. (2002). Why the pervasive addiction myth is still believed. Addiction Research and Theory. https://doi.org/10.1080/16066350290001687

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AB - This paper characterises the myth of addiction and considers social mechanisms that may sustain this discourse about substance use problems in the face of counter-evidence. The myth is that substance use is typified by addiction, which is a dramatic, dangerous and chronic condition primarily caused by the biological effects of drugs. This myth is resilient and has been applied to different substances. Among the simple social mechanisms that may sustain the myth are that it provides a clear answer to drug problems and that it is socially-functional for a wide range of social groups (Davies, 1992. The Myth of Addiction. Reading, Harwood.).

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