Drug Use for Grown-Ups

Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear

De: Dr. Carl L. Hart

Narrado por: Dr. 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.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2021 Dr. Carl L. Hart (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

One of Behavioral Scientist's Best Books of the Year

“[Hart's] positions may seem quite extreme to some but they also, by and large, make a lot of sense - and are backed up by ample research.... A major reason drugs have such a negative public image, Hart asserts, is racism...eye-opening.” (NPR.org)

“Hart’s argument that we need to drastically revise our current view of illegal drugs is both powerful and timely...when it comes to the legacy of this country’s war on drugs, we should all share his outrage.” (The New York Times Book Review)

“One of the most thought-provoking reads I’ve had the pleasure of exploring in a long time....” (Trevor Noah, The Daily Show)

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.

A great book for all regardlessly of position

Hard hitting facts smoothly deliveried by author, showing compassion and scientific due diligence on a subject very rarely dived into as deeply as this book does

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.

Life , liberty and the pursuit of happiness

Dr. Hart is a true man. There is no abstract philosophizing, no sugar coating and no hipocrisy in this book. Only real science and real experiences. You can have any "view" you like but if it's wrong, it's wrong. Anyone who claims to stand for liberty or claims to be something like a libertarian should read this, investigate by themselves and weight the evidence (hint: Dr. Hart is right.) As I said and as Dr. Hart points out on the book and on the Joe Rogan podcast: "Everyone should excercise their right to pursuit happiness as they please if it doesn't get in the way of other peoples pursuit of happiness!".

best book ive ever listened to. please read it

read it please, you will not regret it. best book ive ever listened to ever

it all makes sense

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

Well balanced

A solid mix of evidence and experience. Dr. Hart, however, is not a practiced voice performer, but it does not significantly distract from the message.

Everyone needs to listen to this

This book was so insightful. A must listen if you ever tried any drug in your life. Yes that includes caffeine too. If you've ever taken any over the counter cough syrup, anything, you are a drug user. Dr. Carl Hart put a lot into perspective. Thank you for the time put into this piece. Now if we can only get everyone else on the same page.