Johann Hari on Addiction

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/johann-hari/the-real-cause-of-addicti_b_6506936.html

Click on the link for this excellent article. We have seen this in a number of places over the past few days (thank you, Brent Potter and Monica Cassani), and it deserves a wide audience. The writer’s sense at this service is closely aligned with what Johann is saying, both through client work and through the shared experiences we bring to our supervision work with each other. It is also closely aligned with a person-centered way of seeing. Johann essentially restates the principle of the actualizing process – in a supportive/therapeutic environment, the organism (be that rat or human) will change and grow in ways that are enhancing for the individual and, radiating outwards, enhancing in relationship and in community. In a toxic environment, we tend to numb, as best we can – also actualizing, but this time Carl Rogers’ potatoes in the cellar, the best we can do to grow, given our unhelpful context.

We have known this for decades, it’s there in the literature, it’s there in the research. When are we going to wake up to this, in terms of how we structure our societies? Now? Would now be a good time?

Here’s a link to Johann’s book: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chasing-Scream-First-Last-Drugs/dp/1408857839/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422012827&sr=8-1&keywords=chasing+the+scream

Palace Gate Counselling Service, Exeter