CONTROVERSIES IN THE ADDICTION FIELD: Ugly American Politics of Alcohol and Drugs Use, Education, Treatment, and Public Policies

Abstract

In the United States, conflicting philosophies are found concerning the use of alcohol and recreational drugs, alcohol and drug education, the treatment of alcoholism and drug dependency, and public policies concerning these issues. As editor of a publication to air both sides of these controversies, I found hostility to the idea of publishing a book presenting different opinions. In several cases a potential author considered their point of view as the ONLY correct educational or treatment philosophy. They suggested that opposing viewpoints were dangerous and should not be given a forum and they certainly would not be under the same cover with anyone who had a different opinion. There is a great divisive divide in the addictions field and one way to solve it and to gain insight is to air all sides of the issues in a book entitled, Controversies in the Addiction Field.