The Meaning of Addiction: An Unconventional View - Paperback

by Stanton Peele (Author)

A controversial and persuasive analysis of addiction

A tour de force, a spectacular effort of research andunderstanding. This book gives us the courage to bypass diseasenotions to deal with intrapsychic, family system, and social andcultural dynamics in addiction.
?David Cook, Counseling and Psychological Services, University ofWisconsin

This compelling and controversial book challenges the widelyaccepted belief that alcohol and drug addiction have a genetic orbiological basis. The so-called disease theory
suggests that a substance or activity can cause the addict to losecontrol of his behavior. Stanton Peele demonstrates how this notionfails to make sense of scientific observations.

Analyzing studies of drug and cigarette addiction, alcoholism, obesity, and other potential compulsions such as running and sex, Peele reveals the surprising frequency of self-cure as part of theevidence. The author finds that compulsive habits and depAndencyare a way of coping that individuals can reverse as their lifecircumstances change. This brilliantly argued book is sure toprovoke discussion and stimulate new approaches to treatment.

Front Jacket

An Unconventional View of Addictive Behavior as Adaptation to the Psychological, Family, Social, and Cultural Environment"The Meaning of Addiction presented a new paradigm of addiction. The field has since become more open to the kind of complex, contextual view of addiction and compulsive behavior that it presents. Nonetheless, it remains the classic source for expressing this point of view." --Archie Brodsky, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School" Peele's theory of 'addiction as an experience' in The Meaning of Addiction remains a pathbreaking one that offers readers an accessible and empowering understanding of their own experiences, desires, and addictions. For understanding addictions, Peele is in my view (and for my courses on this subject) still the source of all sources." ?Richard J. DeGrandpre, Department of Psychology, St. Michael's College, Burlington, Vermont" Stanton Peele's books have been instrumental in helping me understand my own underlying causes of addiction and how, however well-intentioned the 12-step model is, it led me to focus on the wrong aspects of addiction."?Marianne Gilliam, author, How Alcoholics Anonymous Failed Me"Offers a thought-provoking, insightful, and controversial perspective on the etiology of addictive behaviors. Peele challenges the biological model and provides an important alternative view on addictive behaviors. The Meaning of Addiction should be required reading for students and professionals alike."?Kim Fromme, Department of Psychology, University of Texas

Back Jacket

An Unconventional View of Addictive Behavior as Adaptation to the Psychological, Family, Social, and Cultural Environment

"The Meaning of Addiction presented a new paradigm of addiction. The field has since become more open to the kind of complex, contextual view of addiction and compulsive behavior that it presents. Nonetheless, it remains the classic source for expressing this point of view." --Archie Brodsky, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

"Peele's theory of 'addiction as an experience' in The Meaning of Addiction remains a pathbreaking one that offers readers an accessible and empowering understanding of their own experiences, desires, and addictions. For understanding addictions, Peele is in my view (and for my courses on this subject) still the source of all sources." --Richard J. DeGrandpre, Department of Psychology, St. Michael's College, Burlington, Vermont

"Stanton Peele's books have been instrumental in helping me understand my own underlying causes of addiction and how, however well-intentioned the 12-step model is, it led me to focus on the wrong aspects of addiction."--Marianne Gilliam, author, How Alcoholics Anonymous Failed Me

"Offers a thought-provoking, insightful, and controversial perspective on the etiology of addictive behaviors. Peele challenges the biological model and provides an important alternative view on addictive behaviors. The Meaning of Addiction should be required reading for students and professionals alike."--Kim Fromme, Department of Psychology, University of Texas

Author Biography

STANTON PEELE, a leading figure in the addictions field, has won the Mark Keller award from the Rutgers Center Alcohol Studies and the Lindesmith Award from the Drug Policy Foundation. He is the author of the classic Love and Addiction and The Truth About Addiction and Recovery.