Marshall Poe
Marshall Poe
Hanna Pickard, "What Would You Do Alone in a Cage with Nothing But Cocaine?: A Philosophy of Addiction" (Princeton UP, 2026)
Hanna Pickard, "What Would You Do Alone in a Cage with Nothing But Cocaine?: A Philosophy of Addiction" (Princeton UP, 2026)
Hanna Pickard, "What Would You Do Alone in a Cage with Nothing But Cocaine?: A Philosophy of Addiction" (Princeton UP, 2026)
Tuesday 24th February 2026
Dr. Hanna Pickard discusses her book on addiction, challenging traditional models and advocating for a humanistic approach.
49 minutes
Informative
Inspiring
Engaging
Hopeful
Transformative
About this podcast
Author:
Marshall Poe
Overview:
Categories:
Understanding Addiction & Recovery
Navigating Alcohol Dependency
Navigating Intimate Relationships
Family Recovery from Addiction
Relationships & Community
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Get the buttons here!Rethinking Addiction: A New Philosophy with Dr. Hanna Pickard
Episode Overview
- Addiction is redefined as behaviour gone wrong rather than a mere brain disease.
- Humanistic approaches focus on psychological and environmental factors.
- Responsibility without blame can empower individuals in recovery.
- Interdisciplinary methods are crucial for understanding addiction.
- Listening to individuals' experiences is key to effective treatment.
"If you think seriously about what you would do alone in a cage with nothing but cocaine, for many of us, if we're honest, the answer is we would take a lot of cocaine."
Get ready to be moved by real-life accounts of addiction as Dr. Hanna Pickard takes centre stage in this episode, discussing her groundbreaking book, "What Would You Do Alone in a Cage with Nothing But Cocaine?: A Philosophy of Addiction." Dr. Pickard, a distinguished professor at Johns Hopkins University, proposes a fresh perspective on addiction, challenging the traditional brain disease model. She argues that addiction should be seen as behaviour gone awry rather than merely a neurological disorder. Dr.
Pickard shares insights from her clinical experiences and philosophical background, emphasising the need to view addiction through a humanistic lens. She highlights the importance of understanding the psychological and environmental factors influencing addiction, urging us to consider the broader context of a person's life. The episode is rich with discussions on the societal and academic adherence to the brain disease model and the potential for more nuanced, interdisciplinary approaches. Dr.
Pickard also delves into the power of responsibility without blame, advocating for treatment that empowers individuals by recognising their agency. Listeners will find this episode not only informative but also deeply engaging, as it challenges preconceived notions and offers hope for more compassionate treatment strategies. Whether you're personally affected by addiction or interested in the philosophy behind it, this conversation is sure to provoke thought and inspire change. So, what does it mean to view addiction through a new lens?
And how can we better support those on their recovery journey? Tune in to explore these questions and more.