Book review
The Biology of Desire
Why addiction is not a disease
Marc Lewis
Kiki Boumans, i6199324
Health Sciences, Mental Health track
Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences
Maastricht University
PHiA GZW2225 – Sapere Aude
Stefanie Linden
11-04-2021
1958 words
, Content
Marc Lewis is a neuroscientist and used to be addicted to drugs. He points out three main
models to explain the underlying mechanisms of addiction, which are: the disease model, the
choice model and the self-medication model. Even though most of society has mainly
accepted the first model; addiction as a disease to be the model that best explains the
underlying mechanisms of addiction, Lewis’ view on addiction is mainly focused on it being
anything but a disease. In his book ‘The Biology of Desire’, Lewis describes how addiction
cannot be identified as a disease, but rather as a developmental learning process. He supports
his argument by telling the compelling stories of 5 former addicts. He reflects on these stories
with (neuro-)scientific concepts, like neuroplasticity and ego fatigue, to refute the core
arguments of the disease model. For instance he states that addiction does change the brain,
but the brain would change anyway due to neuroplasticity which is the neural starting point
for every learning process.
With his book, Lewis really wants the reader to rethink the ‘standard belief’ that
addiction is a disease. At this moment in time, most people belief that addiction is a brain
disease. This way it is easier for addicts to get the treatment they need, because a disease is
something that can be treated, for example with a medicine. However, Lewis states that
addiction is not something that can be treated. He believes you cannot ‘recover’ from
addiction and many people get over their addiction without any form of treatment. He states it
is important for people to regain self-control and find new goals to pursue in your life.
According to Lewis the only way people can stop their formed habits of using a substance, is
to get over it yourself (Bastiaans, n.d.).
Audience:
This book is written for everyone who is interested in getting more insight in addiction. The
stories, told by Lewis, about the former addicts are easy to read and really touched me along
the way. Even the more scientific or (neuro-)biological parts of the book are very
understandable for people with little to no neuroscientific knowledge. This way, the book is
accessible to a wide audience, ranging from people with no knowledge about the matter to
professionals in the health field. When professionals in the field of addiction read this book,
they might be stimulated to rethink their usual approach, which could possibly be the disease
model. Moreover, this book could bring new insights for people who experience addiction
from up close, like relatives, friends or romantic partners. Reading this book could help those
1
The Biology of Desire
Why addiction is not a disease
Marc Lewis
Kiki Boumans, i6199324
Health Sciences, Mental Health track
Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences
Maastricht University
PHiA GZW2225 – Sapere Aude
Stefanie Linden
11-04-2021
1958 words
, Content
Marc Lewis is a neuroscientist and used to be addicted to drugs. He points out three main
models to explain the underlying mechanisms of addiction, which are: the disease model, the
choice model and the self-medication model. Even though most of society has mainly
accepted the first model; addiction as a disease to be the model that best explains the
underlying mechanisms of addiction, Lewis’ view on addiction is mainly focused on it being
anything but a disease. In his book ‘The Biology of Desire’, Lewis describes how addiction
cannot be identified as a disease, but rather as a developmental learning process. He supports
his argument by telling the compelling stories of 5 former addicts. He reflects on these stories
with (neuro-)scientific concepts, like neuroplasticity and ego fatigue, to refute the core
arguments of the disease model. For instance he states that addiction does change the brain,
but the brain would change anyway due to neuroplasticity which is the neural starting point
for every learning process.
With his book, Lewis really wants the reader to rethink the ‘standard belief’ that
addiction is a disease. At this moment in time, most people belief that addiction is a brain
disease. This way it is easier for addicts to get the treatment they need, because a disease is
something that can be treated, for example with a medicine. However, Lewis states that
addiction is not something that can be treated. He believes you cannot ‘recover’ from
addiction and many people get over their addiction without any form of treatment. He states it
is important for people to regain self-control and find new goals to pursue in your life.
According to Lewis the only way people can stop their formed habits of using a substance, is
to get over it yourself (Bastiaans, n.d.).
Audience:
This book is written for everyone who is interested in getting more insight in addiction. The
stories, told by Lewis, about the former addicts are easy to read and really touched me along
the way. Even the more scientific or (neuro-)biological parts of the book are very
understandable for people with little to no neuroscientific knowledge. This way, the book is
accessible to a wide audience, ranging from people with no knowledge about the matter to
professionals in the health field. When professionals in the field of addiction read this book,
they might be stimulated to rethink their usual approach, which could possibly be the disease
model. Moreover, this book could bring new insights for people who experience addiction
from up close, like relatives, friends or romantic partners. Reading this book could help those
1
