Jeffrey A. Schaler

In the following viewpoint Jeffrey A. Schaler argues that addiction is a behavior, not a disease. He asserts that people voluntarily choose to consume drugs and alcohol, despite the health and social consequences. Evidence that drug use has both physical and behavioral effects, he maintains, does not mean that the physical effects of drug use cause the behavioral effect—addiction. Moreover, claims Schaler, the fact that faith-based programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous are the best treatment for addiction supports the conclusion that addiction is an ethical problem, not a disease. Schaler, professor at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, is author of Addiction Is a Choice.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What are some of the ways addicts monitor their rate of drug consumption, in Schaler’s opinion?
2. What did P.A...