Drug Use for Grown-Ups

Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear

By: Dr. Carl L. Hart

Narrated by: 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

Critic reviews

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)

very informative

This book has opened my eyes to the drug issues in American society, from now on I will fight with my vote to move to a society that values the benefit of legalizing drugs, and push for the right of all people to pursue happiness

Small warning. Good book

Good book. About 2/3 through you start to hear a little of his politics. Don't get me wrong, you have to touch on politics for something like this. Just gotta be awake when someone slips I their political views. Definitely worth a listen 👌🏽

A must read for any individual

The detailed description of the current status and previous history of the war on drugs and the substances themselves laid out by Dr. Hart are of key importance in understanding why these policies have failed and will continue to do so. I highly recommend this book to everyone as it helps the reader (or listener) to understand why these laws infringe upon the unalienable rights deserved human beings. It is easy to cast away the nuance and stick to the perceptions held by society and yourself surrounding drugs and how drug laws benefit our communities, but I urge you to explore this book with an open mind. The time for change is long overdue and I hope with these changes we can create a better world for everyone.

elegantly done

So many levels to unpack from this book, front line insight on a modern issue and a refreshingly liberterian take on personal freedom to use whatever you may want as a contributing adult in society.

Amazingly progressive work and authenticity by Dr. Carl Hart

This book sets the stage for the future of drug use and hopefully, reformation of drug laws. Dr. Hart’s vulnerability and willingness to step out on a limb will, in turn, hopefully empower many other persons like him to speak their truth, myself included. Thank you Dr. Hart.

Someone had to say it

loved it. someone had to speak up and dr. Carl was the one to do it

Educational

I love this book. I actually just watched him on an interview on a documentary “crack” and loved him. Then my boyfriend was listening to “the daily” and heard about this book and recommended it to me. I knew right away it was the same guy! Great book. Eye opening !

Amazing book

Life liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

It’s amazing how much one can learn from a book. This really opened my eyes to how backwards or lacking the research is about drugs.

I’m glad someone wrote this book from a researched perspective. Reminds me a bit of Pollens book, how to change tour mind.

Great Read!

Dr. Hart gives facts and makes this read very informative. I enjoyed the stories as well as fearless motivation to openly discuss adult drug use.

great listen

dr hart is very level headed and explains things very simply. although I may not agree with everything he says, he paints a clear and beautiful picture of why drug information is often times misleading and the people in power (what a surprise) use drugs as a scapegoat to enforce principles that help them control the game of life. this book is not about how to use drugs, it's about why you and I should have the personal freedom to responsibly alter our state of mind and have access to true information that can help us to do so.