Music, Addiction, And Imaginary Diseases

If we are to believe the argument that addiction is a disease, then we should also believe that the ability to play improvised jazz, conduct an orchestra, or freestyle rap is a disease. Indeed, if mere measurements of brain activity are sufficient proof of disease, then anything and everything we do is caused by disease – the term loses all relevance, and our society gets further and further away from real solutions to behavioral problems. Being an expert musician is not a diseased state – nor is being an expert drug user.

"By changing the way we talk about addiction, we change the way people think about addiction"

The above quote reflects a view I believe whole-heartedly.  If we were to talk about addiction as a choice, then people would think of it as a choice, and furthermore, they would behave as if it were a choice.  Unfortunately, the person who spoke this quote, Joe Biden, said it while introducing the Recognizing Addiction… Continue reading "By changing the way we talk about addiction, we change the way people think about addiction"