Addict Quote by William S. Burroughs
“I feel that any form of so called psychotherapy is strongly contraindicated for addicts. The question Why did you start using narcotics in the first place? should never be asked. It is quite as irrelevant to treatment as it would be to ask a malarial patient why he went to a malarial area.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Addict's Dilemma, 1970
The quote argues that asking addicts why they started using drugs is as irrelevant as asking a malaria patient why they entered a malaria zone, suggesting such questions hinder treatment.
In simple terms: Questioning addicts' origins is unhelpful and irrelevant to recovery.
Key Takeaway
Avoid irrelevant probing; focus on effective treatment.
Themes
addiction treatment
clinical ethics
patient care
Mood
serious
analytical
thoughtful
Type
clinical
empathetic
When to use this quote
- rehabilitation programs
- clinical interviews
- support groups
- policy making
Key Concepts
therapeutic focus
clinical questioning
recovery strategies
Questions to Reflect On
- How can clinicians balance empathy with practical treatment?
- What alternative questions better support recovery?
A Different Perspective
It may dismiss the value of understanding personal history for tailored care.
![“For instance, they [The Federal Narcotics Bureau ] give out that marijuana is a harmful and habit-forming drug, and it simply isn't. They claim that you can get addicted to opiates with one shot, and you can't. They over-estimate the physical bad effects, and so forth.” quote by William S. Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d9a/william-s-burroughs-528_claims_for-instance-they-the-federal-narcotics_1760539.jpg)
