Drug Use for Grown-Ups

Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear

De: Carl L. Hart

Narrado por: Carl L. Hart

From one of the world's foremost experts on the subject, a powerful argument that the greatest damage from drugs flows from their being illegal, and a hopeful reckoning with the possibility of their use as part of a responsible and happy life

Dr. Carl L. Hart, Ziff Professor at Columbia University and former chair of the Department of Psychology, is one of the world's preeminent experts on the effects of so-called recreational drugs on the human mind and body. Dr. Hart is open about the fact that he uses drugs himself, in a happy balance with the rest of his full and productive life as a colleague, husband, father, and friend. In Drug Use for Grown-Ups, he draws on decades of research and his own personal experience to argue definitively that the criminalization and demonization of drug use--not drugs themselves--have been a tremendous scourge on America, not least in reinforcing this country's enduring structural racism.

Dr. Hart did not always have this view. He came of age in one of Miami's most troubled neighborhoods at a time when many ills were being laid at the door of crack cocaine. His initial work as a researcher was aimed at proving that drug use caused bad outcomes. But one problem kept cropping up: the evidence from his research did not support his hypothesis. From inside the massively well-funded research arm of the American war on drugs, he saw how the facts did not support the ideology. The truth was dismissed and distorted in order to keep fear and outrage stoked, the funds rolling in, and black and brown bodies behind bars.

Drug Use for Grown-Ups will be controversial, to be sure: the propaganda war, Dr. Hart argues, has been tremendously effective. Imagine if the only subject of any discussion about driving automobiles was fatal car crashes. Drug Use for Grown-Ups offers a radically different vision: when used responsibly, drugs can enrich and enhance our lives. We have a long way to go, but the vital conversation this book will generate is an extraordinarily important step.

*This audiobook includes a PDF of figures and an appendix from the book.

Eye opening

This book drastically changed the way I viewed “Hard Drugs” And the people who use them, as well as changed the way I viewed my own personal journey through experimentation and where I was flawed in my own education and use of the substances mentioned in this book. Overall a great informative read and plethora of useful, life saving information. Highly recommend for anyone interested in truly understanding the complex subject of regular drug use while pursuing personal happiness.

Deeply Compelling

This book is beautifully written and narrated by the author Dr. Carl L Hart. It addresses the biases in scientific research on drugs as well as systemic racism and its effects on social perspective. The author digs in to the other side of drug use that has not gotten enough attention: the health benefits obtained through responsible use. I applaud his bravery and I’m recommending this book to others!

A refreshing perspective, well reasoned

A well reasoned and progressive take on drug use in America and worldwide. Dr Hart encourages us to question society's perspective on drugs and their users.

Psychiatrist heartily endorses this book

I’m a psychiatrist with ten years experience treating people with substance use issues. I’ve spent seven of those years awaiting Dr. Hart’s followup to High Price. Drug Use For Grownups is a worthy followup. Both books inform the reader about the ruinous consequences of US drug policy, and separate signal from noise in drug research, where Dr. Hart’s contributions cannot be overstated. In Drug Use For Grownups he takes the further step of examining his own recreational drug use, as a necessary step toward destigmatizing such activity, and sets the stage for a societal transformation to a far healthier, less hypocritical, less punitive, and not the least, more enjoyable approach to same. His reading of his book is a bit stilted, but this is a minor issue, and his sincerity and passion grew on me. This is an important book.

it all makes sense

grown ups should let other grown ups do grown up things, ita as simple as that