Is Drug Addiction a Brain Disease?
Posted: Thursday, October 1, 1998
Two psychiatrists oppose the current campaign to declare drug addiction a chronic, "no-fault" disease and argue that addiction is a modifiable behavioral phenomenon: between periods of heavy use, the drug or alcohol addict has a chance to change. They recommend the use of "enlightened coercion," such as compulsory residential treatment for criminal addicts and the use of public entitlements—e.g., welfare benefits—to modify behavior.  [Full Story]