Book · 2025 · Philosophy
What Is It Like to Be an Addict?
Understanding Substance Abuse
Why people recommend it
What Is It Like to Be an Addict? by Owen Flanagan is a compelling exploration of substance use that combines rigorous scientific research and cutting-edge thinking with a deeply personal memoir. Steve Levitt featured the book on People I (Mostly) Admire during an episode where he promoted and described Owen Flanagan's newest work, highlighting its fascinating structure as both a personal narrative and an analytical study of addiction. Later, on the same podcast, Morgan Levy discussed the publication during her post-interview conversation with Steve Levitt, noting that the author, who is a psychologist and neurobiologist, had recently released a book on addiction rooted in both scientific research and memoir elements. Listeners interested in the intersection of neuroscience and lived experience are frequently drawn to the title for its rare dual perspective, which attempts to bridge the gap between clinical data and the subjective reality of being an addict. The discussions on People I (Mostly) Admire underscored the book's unique ability to address a complex societal issue through multifaceted storytelling, making it a notable entry in the discourse surrounding mental health, substance use, and the human condition.
Who recommended it
- Morgan Levy Discussed
- Steve Levitt Recommended
Morgan Levy — 1 mention
“in our last new new episode we interviewed psychologist and neurobiologist Owen Flanigan who recently wrote a book on addiction it's based on research but also is part Memoir”
Steve Levitt — 1 mention
“Owen Flanigan's book on addiction is entitled what is it like to be an addict it's a fascinating combination of how highly personal Memoir and cuttingedge scientific thinking on addiction”