Diseasing of America - by Stanton Peele (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A Controversial Argument Against the Disease Theory of Addiction Diseasing of America is a powerful and controversial rebuttal to the "addiction as disease model" that many vested interests-including doctors, counselors, psychologists, treatment centers, and twelve-step programs that specialize in addiction treatment-don't want you to read."I found the arguments in Diseasing of America persuasive and carefully documented. While I find current addiction-treatment models helpful, I think it is critical to look at Stanton Peele's work to question our fundamental assumptions and adjust them on the basis of data."-Jennifer P. Schneider, author of Back From Betrayal and Sex, Lies, and Forgiveness, and member of the American Society of Addiction Medicine"A provocative review of the uses and abuses of the disease model in the past three decades. This important book has significantly added to my education and clinical understanding of addiction in my professional practice."-Richard R. Irons, M.D., The Menninger Clinic

From the Back Cover

There is absolutely no proven scientific evidence supporting the misconception that substance abuse and other addictions are genetically acquired diseases. Shocked? Diseasing of America is a powerful and controversial rebuttal to the "addiction as disease model" that many vested interests-including doctors, counselors, psychologists, treatment centers, and twelve-step programs that specialize in addiction treatment-don't want you to read.

Review Quotes

"A courageous indictment of the destructive mindset that alldeviant behavior is a disease. Peele offers mindful alternatives tothose suffering from addictions and to professionals seeking tohelp them." (Ellen Langer, professor of psychology, HarvardUniversity)

"I found the arguments in Diseasing of America persuasive andcarefully documented. While I find current addiction-treatmentmodels helpful, I think it is critical to look at Stanton Peele'swork to question our fundamental assumptions and adjust them on thebasis of data." (Jennifer P. Schneider, author of Back FromBetrayal and Sex, Lies, and Forgiveness, and member of the AmericanSociety of Addiction Medicine)

"A provocative review of the uses and abuses of the disease modelin the past three decades. This important book has significantlyadded to my education and clinical understanding of addiction in myprofessional practice." (Richard R. Irons, The MenningerClinic)

"Peele makes it clear that the disease model of addiction is anemperor without clothes. By placing addictive behaviors in thecontext of other problems of living, he emphasizes personalresponsibility for one's habits. The book empowers the reader toview addiction in a new optimistic light." (G. Alan Marlatt, director, Addictive Behaviors Research Center, University ofWashington, and coauthor of Relapse Prevention)

About the Author

STANTON PEELE, a clinician, researcher, and specialist in the field of alcohol and substance abuse, has won the Mark Keller Award from the Rutgers Center of Alcohol Studies and the Lindesmith Award from the Drug Policy Foundation. He is the author of the classic Love and Addiction and The Meaning of Addiction.