Johann Hari: Everything You Think You Know About Addiction is Wrong

This is an excellent TED talk about new approaches to substance abuse and current deficits in addiction treatment.  Yoga philosophy  has taught us for many years that each of us shares a connection.  We are taught that each of us has an individual soul (Atman) and that this soul is connected to the greater “cosmic soul” or Universal Self (Brahman). When we start to disconnect from each other and from ourselves, disease arises.  Johann’s talk correlates with this concept of yoga philosophy perfectly – advocating that as floor space in homes increases and we become increasingly disconnected from one another, addictions and mental illnesses also increase.  Therefore, Johann advocates for treating addictions not by alienating our peers, clients, family members, but by fostering connection.  My favorite quote from this talk: “the opposite of addiction is not sobriety – the opposite of addiction is connection.”