Happy rats do not become addicted

An experiment has shown that rats kept in conditions appropriate to their species, with sufficient companions, play opportunities, exercise, stimulation, and hiding spots, do not become addicted to the heroin offered to them. Conversely, a singly housed cage rat ...

consumes more and more of the addictive substance until it eventually dies of an overdose.

Adverse circumstances such as isolation, stress, and boredom seem to play a significant role in the onset of addiction.

Something similar happened in the Vietnam War: 95% of the soldiers who consumed heroin during the war, contrary to fears, stopped after returning home, and this without detox clinics or drug programs.

The researcher's main thesis is that addiction, an unhealthy attachment to something, becomes unnecessary when there are enough opportunities to connect with people you enjoy being with.

This should prompt us to reconsider our ideas for treating drug addicts and to reserve time for nurturing and building our relationships.

Connection versus Addiction

Quelle: Johann Hari, "Chasing the Scream", Bloomington, 2015