Stanton Peele

In the following viewpoint Stanton Peele argues that moderate drinking has been proven to be beneficial to health and, therefore, doctors should encourage their patients to use alcohol. He dismisses the argument that providing information about the benefits of drinking will cause people to abuse alcohol. Peele maintains that doctors have an obligation to inform their patients of all treatment options—patients are capable of making the best choices for their own treatment. Stanton Peele, a psychologist and researcher specializing in drug and alcohol addiction, is the author of The Diseasing of America: How We Allowed Recovery Zealots and the Treatment Industry to Convince Us We Are Out of Control.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. According to Peele, what should doctors do if patients are incapable of regulating their...