Overcoming Addiction

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED . . . Overcoming Addiction provides a reading experience simple in its clarity and provocative in the multilevel depth of its discussion. . . In a well-crafted text that combines clearly defined, fact-based pros and cons with philosophical discussion on addiction, he also opens up discourse on the human conditions that support substance use and abuse. In addition to addressing the familiar legal and illegal substances, Pence explores the role of big pharma in addictive disorders and the near future as marijuana is increasingly legalized. The book is refreshingly void of inherent bias, focusing on facts, theoretical foundations, and philosophy. . . . Each chapter is expertly written, provides new perspective on existing models of treatment, and ends in a summary that might induce critical re-reading. The presentation is clear enough to support upper-level undergraduate and graduate coursework and will be helpful to any individual or professional considering working with people with substance use disorders.

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In the midst of America's worst addiction epidemic in history, Greg Pence's timely book Overcoming Addiction challenges the standard models of addiction and its treatment and leads the reader to the inevitable conclusion that when it comes to addiction, one size does not fit all... A must read for those struggling with addiction and substance abuse and all the rest of us who care about them. -- Frank Sweeny, MD, host of "Straight Talk MD"
Whatever you now believe about addiction, the chances are that Greg Pence's thought-provoking book will challenge you and make you think again. -- Peter Singer, AC, Ira W. DeCamp Professor of Bioethics, Princeton University
If there ever was a problem demanding thoughtful, careful analysis and dispassionate yet probing rigor, addiction is surely it. Pence provides an invaluable and masterful conceptual framework for the hard thinking the battle against addiction demands. -- Arthur L. Caplan, Mitty Professor of Bioethics, NYU Langone Medical Center and Director, Division of Medical Ethics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine
In the face of an addiction epidemic in the U.S., Greg Pence's latest work is a timely addition that helps us to make sense of the many approaches being offered to overcome addiction, as well as offering insights on where we go from here. -- Daniel J. Hurst, Director of Professionalism, Ethics, and Humanities, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
Awareness about the scope of the problems of addiction is growing, but too often help is presented unscientifically, not comparing the merits and results of different solutions. Gregory Pence has done an invaluable service with this important book, which not only demonstrates the deep problems of addiction, but also evaluates seven outlooks on overcoming it. Families, doctors, and public officials concerned about addiction should read this book and philosophers in the academy should see it as an exemplar of relevant and vital public scholarship on one of the world's gravest problems. -- Eric Thomas Weber, University of Kentucky, Executive Director, Society of Philosophers in America