Last year I dedicated a post to the work of Dr. Bruce Alexander, a psychologist from Canada who wrote a great book about The Globalization of Addiction
I am now extremely excited that my good friend Jari Chevalier, from Living Hero, recently completed an interview with Dr. Alexander. There are so many wonderful things in this podcast that I encourage you to take the time to hear what Dr. Alexander has to say about addiction and our society.
Top 4 insights from interview
- Addiction is a problem on the rise all over the world, and the factors perpetuating this problem are similar
- Addiction is a window into our lives, culture, and the many problems we face day-to-day, and thus can teach us a lot about ourselves
- Addiction is an adaptive response to the increasing breakdown in community (dislocation) and intimate social ties necessary for a good life
- There is no formula or recipe for how best to intervene at the societal/community level and reverse the trend of addiction, but we should look to other countries that are further along in their efforts to curb addiction problems (Scandinavia and parts of South America)
Our government is currently very invested in promoting addiction as a brain disease, and the development of medications and psychosocial interventions that can treat the addicted brain.
Unfortunately, however successful these interventions may be, they do not move our society in the direction of what addicts so badly need: human bonds, intimacy, and community.
What I really get out of listening to Dr. Alexander is a message of Hope that we can change our ways. We can return to a way of life that is more grounded in relationships and not so consumed with materialism.
Also, check out Dr. Alexander’s website and let me know what you think of the interview!
Hello Dr. Fitzgerald,
I think it is absolutely essential for addicts to know they are not alone and this feeling can be enough to give them hope. It’s also important for loved ones around them to speak up and not be in denial. There are signs to an addict anywhere from mood swings to spending habits. I agree with you about adapting other countries ways to find a solution to this troubling issue. Addiction has many victims. It can happen to anyone and everyone.
Hi Dr. Fitzgerald,
I enjoyed reading about the interview with Dr. Alexander. I must admit that I’ve never heard that addiction is associated with the lack of social bonds, and the dislocation in a community. I’ve always thought that addiction has more to do with a genetic aspect, and was excited to read that there’s something perhaps a little more tangible in solving the problem of the rising rates of addiction around the world. I’m currently taking a drug education class in school, and I’m reading a book called “Tweak” by Nic Sheff. In the beginning, he mentions that he had always felt like a bit of a loner, and didn’t really fit in anywhere. He also mentions feeling quite uncomfortable in his own skin, and sort of awkward. Nic says that as soon as he tried drugs, it made him feel strong and confident. He didn’t have to think about not fitting in, or feeling self-conscious. I makes me think that if he had a good social bond with his peers that maybe he wouldn’t have turned to drugs in the first place. I haven’t finished the book yet, so he might get into some of his reasoning toward the end of the book.
Personally, the more social ties I have, the better I feel. I remember being an awkward teenager, and not having many of those important social bonds. I can imagine that I too would have stayed away from drugs if I had the strength of my peers around me.
More and more, I’m hearing about how important it is to have a strong community around you. This is a common topic in many of my classes this term, and am happy to read that it is an element of addiction. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Appreciate the feedback! I believe addictions are all about relationships. When people don’t have strong attachments early in life, or worse yet, early relationships are painful in some way, they naturally turn to objects for comfort: food, porn, video games, alcohol, drugs. Over time, engaging with objects cheats a person of the developmental experiences they need to know how to initiate, develop, and maintain healthy, intimate relationships with people.
J
Thanks! We need to take lessons from what other countries are doing, particularly when it comes to how they are supporting healthy lifestyles for their citizens. Much of addiction is a response to our overconsumption lifestyle that is driving so many unhealthy habits. And you are right, we need to find ways to make it safe for people to talk about their pain. Addiction is not easy to talk about, but when we understand what it really is about we can move forward in the conversations we do have about this prevalent problem.
J
You wrote a post about nostalgia for a connected past and the rise in technologically facilitated disconnect and I responded by pointing to some of the ways technology has helped marginalized people (especially in isolated communities) reconnect to communities when they might otherwise feel completely alone or silenced. I can’t seem to find that post, so I am leaving the comment here since it seems slightly related.
Recently, a young mother was convicted of involuntary manslaughter after leaving her baby to drown in the tub while she checked email and played a video game on youtube. She is the second mother I know of to make the papers for her child dying while she was playing video games. The other mother, along with the baby’s father, were off on a 3 day gaming binge at the local all night arcade while their child died of starvation and “failure to thrive”. I just wanted to say that the recent case made me think of that post you wrote and ruminate more on the issue of technology, its impact, and how it works as an addiction more powerful than even the most vital human bonds we do have.
I thought that Dr. Bruce Alexander’s interview was very insightful. I think that addicts need to know that they have support, that intimate relationship with someone that we all long for. I know someone who is an addict and i can see the lack of personal relationships, and if I knew that was the basis of the problem I could’ve done something to provide support and help. Addiction is all around us, with social networks, video games and especially drugs. Looking at other counrties and taking ideas from them wouldn’t hurt us in any way, if anything it would be beneficial. I think that Dr. Bruce Alexander has some good points throughout the interview. Dr. Fitsgerald put it perfectly, the message we should all get from this is a message of hope that lives will be grounded on personal relationship rather than objects of the world that will not always be there.
I think it is great that there are active communications about the importance of not viewing addiction in such a narrow way. I agree that relationships are the basis for encouraging the process of addiction to some object, to take place. Not only is this present in social relationships, or the lack of, but specifically the relationships that are built with the object of interest. The use, the abuse, becomes routine. It becomes a comfort that comes from routine makes the relationship stronger. The need for that structure can become dependent. I think it is good to understand that this type of relationship can be attached to anything really, which can be an eye opening this for many people.
I think this interview really hit home for me. I have a mother who has quite the addictive personality. Whether its alcohol, cigarettes, prescription pills or even methamphetamines she is using, you can guarantee that she will become addicted. Over this last year she has relapsed, blaming depression and lack of friends for her poor decisions. I guess I wouldn’t accept that as an excuse from her. I hadn’t realized how much social ties can play a part in addiction until watching this interview. I think it might be harder for me to understand addiction since I have never had to battle it within myself. It is hard to be patient with something that I don’t fully understand.