Intelligence Squared Chasing the Urge: Addiction Throughout History, with Carl Erik Fisher
Feb 25, 2022
Carl Erik Fisher, a psychiatrist, bioethicist, and recovering alcoholic, joins physicist Helen Czerski to discuss his book on the history of addiction. They explore addiction as a complex issue intertwined with identity and societal constructs, emphasizing compassion in treatment. Fisher critiques historical perspectives, such as the use of addiction for social control during the opium wars. The duo also examines the changing landscape of recovery, the promise of psychedelics in mental health, and the need for community support and tailored approaches in addressing addiction.
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Defining Addiction
- Addiction involves a loss of power and agency, making self-control difficult.
- It's a complex issue tied to identity, not just a medical problem.
Person-First Language
- Avoid labeling people as "addicts"; use person-first language like "person with addiction."
- Recognize that addiction is a part of their identity, not their entire identity.
Simplifying Addiction
- Simplifying addiction to a single cause, like lack of discipline, is common but inaccurate.
- Fear often drives these oversimplifications, especially during drug epidemics.
