We used to lock alcoholics in asylums. We used to tell them they were weak. Sinful. That if they really wanted to stop, they would. That their drinking was a choice — and a selfish one at that. For most of human history, that was the full extent of our understanding. No research. No treatment. No compassion. Just judgement. And the consequences were devastating — not just for the alcoholic, but for everyone who loved them. Because when you believe someone is choosing destruction, you stop...

A deeper dive behind the ‘Exploring Addiction’ series What rationalism did for witches, psychology has done for alcoholics — saved many souls from the baying crowd. We’ve been drinking for as long as we’ve been human. Alcohol predates recorded history, woven into ritual, celebration, and everyday life across every culture. But for most of that history, the person who couldn’t stop drinking was met not with compassion, but with contempt. They were weak. Sinful. A drain on society. Choosing...

Why do people become addicted? Why can’t they just stop? And why does it matter how we answer those questions? Seven weeks. Seven posts. One of the most important conversations we can have. Follow along and please share with anyone you think might benefit.