Description:
In "Chasing the Scream," journalist Johann Hari embarks on a global investigation into the history and consequences of the War on Drugs. Through a series of gripping personal stories and historical accounts, Hari challenges the core assumptions that have underpinned drug policy for over a century. He argues that the traditional approach of criminalizing drug users and suppliers has failed spectacularly, causing more harm than good and creating a global cycle of violence, incarceration, and despair.
Hari introduces readers to a cast of characters on all sides of the conflict, from the man who first launched the war on drugs, Harry Anslinger, to a drug-dealing transgender woman in Brooklyn and the doctors and activists in Portugal who pioneered a radically different approach. The book's central thesis is a powerful one: the opposite of addiction is not sobriety, but connection. Drawing on psychological studies and real-world examples, Hari posits that addiction is not primarily a moral failing or a sign of a bad person, but a response to trauma, disconnection, and a lack of purpose. By focusing on isolating people and punishing them, the War on Drugs only exacerbates the very conditions that lead to addiction.
"Chasing the Scream" is a provocative and deeply human book that seeks to reframe the conversation around addiction and drugs. It advocates for a shift from a punitive to a therapeutic model, where the focus is on reconnecting individuals with their communities and helping them heal from the root causes of their pain.
Study Guide for Recovery
This study guide is designed to help you explore the concepts in "Chasing the Scream" and apply them to your own journey of recovery.
Key Themes & Concepts
- The History of the War on Drugs: The book traces the origins of drug prohibition, revealing how policies were often driven by political motives and racial prejudice, rather than scientific evidence.
- The Opposite of Addiction is Connection: This is the book's central and most famous argument. Hari suggests that the human need for connection is fundamental, and that addiction often flourishes in environments of isolation and trauma.
- Decriminalization and Treatment: The book highlights the success of countries like Portugal, which decriminalized all drugs and invested in social reintegration and treatment. The result was a dramatic drop in addiction rates and related harms.
- The Ineffectiveness of Punitive Measures: Hari's research demonstrates that criminalizing and punishing people who use drugs does little to solve the problem of addiction and, in fact, often makes it worse.
Discussion Questions
- Hari argues that the opposite of addiction is connection. How does this resonate with your own experience in recovery? In what ways have you found community and connection to be a vital part of your healing?
- The book contrasts the punitive approach of the War on Drugs with the therapeutic model. What are the key differences, and what kind of support system would you build for yourself based on a therapeutic, rather than punitive, model?
- Think about the role of trauma and disconnection in your own life. How might addressing these root causes, rather than just the substance use itself, be a more effective path to long-term recovery?
- After reading about the history of drug policy, what are your thoughts on the stigma surrounding addiction? How can we as individuals and as a community help dismantle this stigma?
- What small, tangible steps can you take to foster greater connection and purpose in your daily life, and how might this act as a protective factor against relapse?
Additional Resources
- TED Talk: "Everything you think you know about addiction is wrong"
- Watch Johann Hari's powerful and widely viewed TED Talk where he presents the core arguments of his book and shares stories from his research. https://www.ted.com/talks/johann_hari_everything_you_think_you_know_about_addiction_is_wrong
- Article: "The Portugal Model"
- Read more about the specific policies and outcomes of Portugal's decriminalization efforts, which are a cornerstone of Hari's argument. https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2011/05/17/portugals-drug-policy-a-model-for-the-world/
- Podcast: "Russell Brand and Johann Hari"
- Listen to a candid and personal conversation between two public figures who have both dealt with addiction, discussing the themes of "Chasing the Scream." (Search for "Russell Brand Johann Hari" on your preferred podcast platform).
- Book Excerpt: The Guardian
- Read an early excerpt from "Chasing the Scream" that sets the stage for Hari's investigative journey into the drug war. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/jan/10/chasing-the-scream-johann-hari-excerpt
