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Heyman GM. Do addicts have free will? An empirical approach to a vexing question. Addict Behav Rep. 2017;5:85-93doi: 10.1016/j.abrep.2017.02.001.
Heyman, G. M. (2017). Do addicts have free will? An empirical approach to a vexing question. Addictive behaviors reports, 585-93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2017.02.001
Heyman, Gene M. "Do addicts have free will? An empirical approach to a vexing question." Addictive behaviors reports vol. 5 (2017): 85-93. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2017.02.001
Heyman GM. Do addicts have free will? An empirical approach to a vexing question. Addict Behav Rep. 2017 Feb 06;5:85-93. doi: 10.1016/j.abrep.2017.02.001. eCollection 2017 Jun. PMID: 29450230; PMCID: PMC5800557.
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Addict Behav Rep. 2017 Feb 06;5:85-93. doi: 10.1016/j.abrep.2017.02.001. eCollection 2017 Jun.

Do addicts have free will? An empirical approach to a vexing question.

Addictive behaviors reports

Gene M Heyman

Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, United States.

PMID: 29450230 PMCID: PMC5800557 DOI: 10.1016/j.abrep.2017.02.001

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This paper addresses two overlapping questions: Do addicts have the capacity to voluntarily quit drugs? And do individuals knowingly pursue courses of action that they realize are bad for them, such as excessive drug use?

METHODS: I propose two testable versions of free will. First, the observation that activities differ in the degree to which they are susceptible to the influence of their consequences (e.g., costs and benefits) has proven a useful criterion for classifying behavior as voluntary or involuntary. Thus, we can ask if drug use in addicts is influenced by its consequences. For instance, do laws that promise legal sanctions for drug use reduce drug use in addicts? Second, the philosopher Harry Frankfurt proposed a definition of free will that takes into account desires and self-reflection. I propose that addicts who do not want to desire drugs and successfully stop craving drugs pass his test.

RESULTS: Dependence on illicit drugs typically ends after about four to six years. Dependence on cigarettes and alcohol persists for much longer, but most smokers and alcoholics eventually voluntarily quit using. Smokers and heroin addicts can voluntarily regulate their drug cravings as a function of the availability of their drug of choice. They have the capacity to pass Frankfurt's test of free will.

CONCLUSIONS: Addicts have free will as defined by the capacity to voluntary quit using drugs and to voluntarily regulate their cravings.

Keywords: Addiction; Choice; Compulsion; Drug craving; Free will; Substance dependence

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