Dr Bruce Alexander is an internationally recognised author and psychologist perhaps most well known for his “rat-park” experiment and dislocation theory of addiction. Few people on the planet have contributed more to our understanding of the social and contextual factors driving addiction, so it was a real privilege to have this conversation.

In this episode you’ll learn:

— Why psychology is only one piece of the addiction puzzle and the importance of taking a wider view

— The extent to which belonging to a culture can be thought of as a basic human need; as essential to our wellbeing as food and water, and what happens in its absence

— The historical factors driving the addiction crisis

— Bruce’s famous rat park experiment and how this is slowly leading to a paradigm shift in how we see addictions

And more.

You can learn more about Bruce’s work by going to: www.brucekalexander.com

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Dr Bruce K. Alexander is a renowned Canadian psychologist and professor emeritus at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia. He is best known for his groundbreaking work in the field of addiction and his influential theory known as the "Rat Park" experiment.

Bruce Kenneth Alexander was born on December 13, 1939, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of British Columbia, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. He then pursued graduate studies at the University of Oregon, earning his Ph.D. in experimental psychology.

Throughout his career, Alexander focused on studying addiction and its underlying causes, challenging prevailing theories that viewed addiction as solely a result of chemical dependency. He sought to explore the social and environmental factors that contribute to addictive behavior.

Alexander's work highlighted the importance of social connections, environmental factors, and personal fulfillment in preventing and treating addiction. He argued that creating supportive communities and addressing the root causes of addiction, such as social isolation and psychological distress, are crucial for effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Beyond his research, Alexander has been a vocal advocate for drug policy reform and has been critical of the war on drugs. He has called for a shift toward harm reduction strategies and the implementation of evidence-based approaches to address substance abuse. Bruce K. Alexander has published numerous articles and book chapters on addiction, psychology, and drug policy. His work continues to inspire researchers, clinicians, and policymakers in the field of addiction studies.

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4 Books Dr Alexander Recommends for Every Therapist Should Read:

— Scenes and studies of savage life - Sproat, Gilbert Malcolm, 1832-1913 - https://bit.ly/SSS-UBC2023

— Addiction and Devotion in Early Modern England — Rebecca Lemon - https://amzn.to/3XIBCW7

— Crack in America: Demon Drugs and Social Justice — Craig Reinarman and Harry G. Levine - https://amzn.to/433VtQE

— Coming Clean: Overcoming Addiction without Treatment — Robert Granfield and William Cloud - https://amzn.to/3ppAqKN