1st Edition
A New Approach to Addiction and Choice Akrasia and the Nature of Free Will
This engaging book provides a novel examination of the nature of addiction, suggesting that by exploring akrasia—the tendency to act against one’s better judgement—we can better understand our addictive behaviors. It offers an alternative to the dominant biomedical model of addiction as a chronic brain disease by looking at the nature of how we make decisions and proposing the idea that biased choice is central to addiction.
The book looks at both classic substance use disorders and newer “addictions” to smartphones, meat and fossil fuels. It discusses current perspectives on free will in philosophy, psychology and neuroscience, and the questions surrounding free will versus determinism, including our ability to steer our behaviors guided by the promise of future outcomes. Different perspectives on addiction and choice are presented in an eloquent style, and illustrated by personal stories. Through a lively discussion of the key scientific and philosophical issues surrounding addiction, this book is valuable for students in psychology, criminology, sociology and social work, as well as health care professionals and general readers interested in the nature of our free will.
1. Introduction. 2. Akrasia, free will and addiction. 3. Addiction: a chronic brain disease. 4. Why addiction is (usually) not a chronic brain disease. 5. Addiction as biased choice. 6. Development, vulnerability and prevention. 7. Pills or talk-therapy?. 8. Improving choice: reward alternatives, cognitive training and mindfulness. 9. Meat addiction? Cell phones, fossil fuels and our future. 10. Conclusions and lessons. Index.
Biography
Reinout W. Wiers is Professor of Developmental Psychopathology, at the University of Amsterdam, where he leads the Addiction Development and Psychopathology (ADAPT) Lab and he is (co)director of the University of Amsterdam’s interdisciplinary Centre for Urban Mental Health. He is internationally known for his work on assessing and changing implicit cognitive processes in addiction. In addition to his primary work as researcher, he has been trained as a cognitive behavior therapist.
“Behavioural scientists have recently developed interesting new ways of thinking about and responding to addiction, but these are largely unknown to the general public and even to many specialists in the addiction field. This book admirably fills that gap, especially in relation to the ancient concept of ‘akrasia’ and its role in making sense of addiction. I recommend it for anyone with a serious interest in the enduring puzzle of addiction, especially those who are dissatisfied with narrow biomedical formulations.”
--Nick Heather, Emeritus Professor of Alcohol and Other Drug Studies in the Department of Psychology at Northumbria University, UK.
"Addiction and Choice is a wonderfully clear and engaging book, which connects social, psychological and neuroscience factors influencing the use and abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Reinout Wiers helps answer important questions. Is addiction a choice or a brain disease? What therapy programs work best to help people recover? Where do behavioral addictions fit in? Wiers gives us an illuminating analysis of the nature of addiction and drug abuse that will be helpful and informative to anyone concerned with these issues."
--Kent C. Berridge, James Olds Distinguished University Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Michigan.
“Professor Wiers places akrasia- the distorted but deliberate decision making that leads us to do what we know is not good for us - centre stage in the addiction arena. In support of this approach, he draws on comprehensive research findings, spanning the developmental spectrum. He skilfully probes scientific fields as diverse as molecular biology, cognitive bias modification and mindfulness practice in an effort to understand and help overcome our quintessentially human tendency towards akrasia. Throughout he maintains a humane, humorous and reflective tone that makes this book a joy to read.”
--Dr Frank Ryan, Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer, Imperial College London.
--Prof. Wim van den Brink, emeritus professor addiction treatment, UMC-Amsterdam.
"Akrasia is full of fascinating insights about addiction."
--Laura Molenaar. Trouw, National Newspaper, the Netherlands.
"Substance use disorder has long been regarded as a latent chronic disease with a biological etiology necessitating medical intervention. But Reinout Wiers' insightful and intelligent book convincingly points to the role of self control and the person's judgment that contributes to addictions. Apart from perhaps a small minority of severely addicted people, in the large majority of addicted people have some capacity left to shape their behavior and mental health by imagining a better future, an ability that can be reinforced by interventions. It is an optimistic view on the world with concrete and important clinical clinical implications. I highly recommend this beautiful book."
--Prof. Dr. Stefan G. Hofmann, Alexander von Humbodt Professor, Philipps University of Marburg, Germany
"This is an illuminating, entertaining and engaging book. Prof Wiers – a world leader in the study of addictive behaviours – takes us on a journey through his career, on a mission to understand the role of choice in addiction. By marrying scientific research with personal reflection, Prof Wiers sheds important light on the psychological and neural processes of akrasia, and offers valuable new insight into the central question of why and how people become addicted."
--Prof. Mike Le Pelley, UNSW, Sydney
"A New Approach to Addiction and Choice, Akrasia and the Nature of Free Will gives is an excellent overview of the state of the art in the science of addiction written by a leading expert in the field. The book achieves that delicate balance between accessibility and scientific accuracy that characterizes the best popular science writing. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in the facts about addiction."
--Denny Borsboom, University of Amsterdam
"Reinout Wiers presents a lively and stimulating account of addiction theories situated in a broad framework that includes neurobiology and philosophical aspects. His account is full of real life experiences that illustrate his key points. Reinout strongly argues against a reductionist chronic brain disease model in favor of a more complex account of biased choice. Learning mechanisms embedded in a neuroscientific understanding of decision making in socially diverse situations may help to bridge the gap between behavioral accounts and biological findings. As controversial as these topics and their intended and unintended social consequences are, they deserve a vivid debate and a broad reception."
--Andreas Heinz, Director and Chair, Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, CCM
"In "A New Approach to Addiction and Choice, Akrasia and the Nature of Free Will " Dr. Reinout Wiers delves into the latest research on addiction, shedding new light on our understanding of substance dependence. Drawing from his own experiences and groundbreaking studies, Dr. Wiers challenges traditional beliefs about addiction and explores the complex interactions between biology, psychology, and the environment. He skillfully uncovers the various layers of addiction with compassion and clarity, aiming to break through stigma and misconceptions. "A New Approach to Addiction and Choice" is essential for those looking to understand and embrace new perspectives on addiction, recovery, and resilience."
--Prof. Warren Bickel, Virginia Tech Carilion Professor of Behavioral Health Research
" Reinout Wiers develops a rich perspective on the relationship between addiction and choice, by integrating psychological, neuroscientific, and philosophical research. As a result, the book provides a nuanced and insightful view on how and to what extent addiction limits the freedom to choose, and what can be done to overcome it."
--Lieke Asma, Research Fellow at Munich School of Philosophy
"Reinout Wiers succeeds in addressing the topic of addiction on a wide range of conceptual levels, extending from philosophy to neurology. His insights originate from conceptual analysis, experimental research, and applied experience. At the same time, he includes his intellectual biography and presents a piece that is enlightening and fun to read—highly recommended!"
--Fritz Strack, em. Professor of Psychology, University of Würzburg, Germany
"This is a fantastic book. It has a high scientific standard and is up-to-date. At the same time, it is exciting and easy to read and understand. The author takes the reader on a journey through the research and clinical application of substance-related addictions.
The book also includes an insight into the author's personal perspectives against the background of his own academic career and related experiences. His perspective on controversial debates is clear and even if some researchers may take the opposite position in some places, the author's line of argument is balanced. The author's perspectives are thought-provoking and invite readers to question their own views when interpreting research results in the context of addictions. I recommend this book to anyone interested in the topic of addiction. The book conveys the current scientific knowledge on substance use disorders and includes many excursions on broader psychological topics. The writing style combines scientific accuracy with a personal touch, which makes it very enjoyable to read."
--Prof. Dr. Matthias Brand, Head of General Psychology: Cognition, Faculty of Computer Science, University of Duisburg-Essen
