According to Dr. Peele, "addiction is a societal marker, a way people in a given culture have of interpreting their experience." Maybe he is right. But it is also true that something goes on in the brains of people who interpret their experience in the way that addicts do. We can study what is going on in their brains and hopefully gain some insights into why some people but not others interpret experiences (an odd locution, but it is Peele's) in given ways. Is this a pointless exercise? We won't know until we try; brain science is still in its infancy. My general point is that brain scientists and psychologists need not think of their accounts of addiction as competitive.

I agree whole heartedly with Dr.Peele. Addiction is not a brain disease. Addiction is a self-esteem issue. The mere fact that our medical community and society have been instilling such nonsense in the minds of those suffering from addiction is harmful. When people believe they have a disease, most give up hope of restoring their lives. It is not complicated, although it does take the courage to take a stark look in the mirror and see the truth.