Will Science ever cure addiction?

Jan 25

Have you noticed how many people are easily getting free from addiction now that science has found a solution?

Me neither.

That’s because addiction is not a simple problem.

But that doesn’t stop researchers and the media from hyping new solutions.

The case and point is this video about a revolutionary new treatment for addiction.

The theory behind the treatment is really solid.

And the treatment will undoubtedly help some people.

Yet excited reporters fail to realize how much simpler medical problems are than psychological ones.

FOR EXAMPLE

Medical Problem: Over the last two centuries, advances in medical science, hygiene, and nutrition have caused world life expectancy to more than double from 25 to 65-70 [men, women].

vs.

Psychological Problem: The rates of most mental illnesses and addictions have become much worse over the last 100 years.

There is no simple solution to the problem of human behavior.

Science probably won’t ever stop people from abusing substances, just like it won’t stop people from divorcing, embezzling, or making TikTok videos.

I’m not advocating for an anti-science worldview. But, I think it is important to understand the proper place of science in the universe.

Science is not the highest source of truth, nor our ultimate source of hope.

Science is a tool used by aspects of creation [humans] to understand creation using the gifts of creation [sight, sound, touch, etc].

God is more essential and transcendent than science.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

Jason Jonker is a licensed associate marriage and family therapist with over 20 years of experience working with addictions and at-risk populations.

He is the Chairman of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod’s Mental Health Committee.

He has written the book Resilient Recovery, which is available on Amazon.com.

He has been a therapist, a mental health clinic clinical director, and a regional director for mental health clinics.

He is in recovery himself.

Jason founded Resilient Recovery Ministries, which provides peer support and faith-based guidance, and hope to individuals in recovery.

Addiction and Brain Plasticity: Lessons from a backward bike.