When science first studied addictive behavior individuals who became addicted to a substance commonly were viewed as being morally flawed human beings lacking willpower. Today, that view has changed.

We need a new paradigm for addiction that puts psychology first and recognizes its heterogeneity. Only then will we see that for some, addiction is a form of deliberate self-harm.

“When I use a word,” one of 19th century British author and mathematician Lewis Carroll’s characters once said, “it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.” Though he was a ...

Last month, The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) made a big step toward widespread recognition of addiction as a medical issue rather than a behavioral issue or moral failing. It released ...

My previous posts have focused on recognizing and preventing excessive substance use, with an emphasis on providing the latest information about my special interest – cannabis (see 20 Questions to ...