Drug Use for Grown-Ups: Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear

Dr. Carl L. Hart

Jan 2021 · Penguin Random House Audio · Narrated by Dr. Carl L. Hart

About this audiobook

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.

Ratings and reviews

This message needs to be embraced and implemented, but the money involved is probably an insurmountable hurdle. I'm not a user, but would be so grateful for the freedom and opportunity to choose. Some have complained about the author's complaints of racism throughout the book, but racism is the other fuel for this dogged prohibition. We need to be honest with ourselves and admit the war on drugs is a thin veil to keep "undesirables" in check.

I was going to write a thorough review but Andrew covered it well. the organization of the book is kinda all over the place. what I do really enjoy is the humility that dr. hart demonstrates because if theres an important takeaway here, it's that science is constantly changing along with our opinions and assumptions. he's made many mistakes just as we all have and even FACTS are always in need of review and further elaboration. I also appreciated his explanation of what drug addiction and dependence really means and I've personally used daily and wondered if I was addicted, if I should stop etc. I'm glad someone is trying to clear the waters a bit and we are undoubtedly better for it if we can just learn to accept and love others whether they choose drug use or not.

Great book!... when Dr. Hart stays on subject. Racial discrimination is a tragedy in our country and requires its own revolutionary change in our society. When reading this book just be warned a substantial amount is in reference to Dr. Hart's personal experiences with racial discrimination and some of which is not completely relavent to drug reform. it would've been better if the book stuck to the title and minimized racial references. I think it's important to highlight racism's role in drug reform but not on every page.

About the author

Dr. Carl L. Hart is the Ziff Professor of Psychology in the Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry at Columbia University. He is also a Research Scientist at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. Professor Hart has published numerous scientific and popular articles in the area of neuropsychopharmacology and is co-author of the textbook Drugs, Society and Human Behavior (with Charles Ksir). His book High Price was the 2014 winner of the PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award.