Review of Why Can't Johnny Just Quit?

[Chinedu Nwakaji]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Why Can't Johnny Just Quit?" by Kyle Oh.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Addiction is a disease that must be avoided. But it doesn't just appear all of a sudden, as a series of actions and mental programming are required. Kyle Oh, a practicing physician, tells us the dangers associated with it and how to avert them. He highlighted several misconceptions surrounding addiction. Most people get addicted to certain drugs or substances unknowingly. During the consumption of these substances, different feelings can emanate. A condition where a drug causes excitement during its consumption without intoxication is greatly different from when it causes intoxication alone. The writer stated that knowing this alone can grant an individual a proper understanding of how to begin the journey of tackling addiction, its root causes, symptoms, and prevention. 

Why Can't Johnny Just Quit? is a book that explains the basic concepts surrounding addiction. I loved the way the writer distinguished drug addiction from drug abuse. Most people have seen these two concepts in different dimensions. Kyle Oh stated that drug abuse is quite different from addiction. While drug abuse is backed up by behavior, addiction is backed up by intent. As a result, when an individual uses a drug, people don't seek to find the intention behind it, but rather they look at the behavioral aspect. This portrays addiction in a negative light. Kyle stated that addiction arises from the brain when a form of craving for that particular substance has been established. This is because of the euphoria created by the substance. But unbeknownst to the user, a drug that once caused happiness will end up becoming the source of unhappiness. This is the downfall of addiction, highlighted in the book.

I did not find anything to dislike in this book. It gives ways in which addiction can be prevented. In addition to that, the book also explains that addiction can also be based on an individual's genetic composition. By giving the different categories of drugs present, Kyle stated that a drug that causes addiction to a person may not cause the same to another. By citing examples from patients he had treated, I got to understand the concept of addiction clearly. Moreso, he stated that individuals suffering from addiction should not be treated with disdain. This is because of their inability to help themselves. With proper education on the concept of addiction, individuals can easily find ways to avert the devastating conditions that tend to follow.

This book was professionally edited, as I noticed just a few errors in it. This made comprehension of its content easier. As a result, I give it a rating of 4 out of 4 stars.

There are not too many books that explain the concept of addiction and how it can be treated. This book will help to stand in that gap. I hereby recommend it to people who are into drug usage, physicians, and people who live with addicted individuals. This book can give them a blueprint on how to tackle addiction properly.

 

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Why Can't Johnny Just Quit?
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[Faith - Benny Any]

Addiction is a serious subject that needs to be known. Its consequences are numerous. I'm glad your review enlightened me.