The globalisation of addiction : a study in poverty of the spirit /

Alexander, Bruce K.

The globalisation of addiction : a study in poverty of the spirit / Bruce K. Alexander. - Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, (c)2008. - 1 online resource (470 pages, 2 unnumbered pages of plates) : illustrations (some color)

Includes bibliographies and index.

Vancouver as prototype -- Addiction1, addiction2, addiction3, addiction4 -- The dislocation theory of addiction -- Psychosocial integration is a necessity -- Free-market society undermines psychosocial integration -- Addiction is a way of adapting to dislocation: historical evidence -- Addiction is a way of adapting to dislocation: quantitative research, clinical reports, and 'spam' -- Addiction is a way of adapting to dislocation: the myth of the demon drugs -- Addiction and society -- The role of addiction in the civilised madness of the 21st century -- Getting by -- Spiritual treatment for addiction: the 'fifth pillar' -- Socrates' 'master passions' and dikaiosune -- From blindness and paralysis to action -- Social actions to control addiction: question period.

"This book argues that the cause of the failure to control addiction is that the conventional wisdom of the 19th and 20th centuries focused too single-mindedly on the afflicted individual addict. Although addiction obviously manifests itself in individual cases, its prevalence differs dramatically between societies. This book shows that the social circumstances that spread addiction in a conquered tribe or a failing civilisation are also built into today's globalising free-market society. The book argues that the most effective response to a growing addiction problem is a social and political one, rather than an individual one"--Jacket



9780191552083


Compulsive behavior.
Substance abuse.
Compulsive behavior--Social aspects--Canada.
Substance abuse--Social aspects--Canada.
Social psychology.
Social adjustment.
Social ecology.
Spirituality.
Behavior, Addictive--psychology
Psychology, Social
Social Adjustment
Social Environment
Spirituality
Substance-Related Disorders--psychology


Electronic Books.

RC533 / .G563 2008