--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The idea that addiction is somehow a…" description: "\"The idea that addiction is somehow a psychological illness is, I think, totally ridiculous. It's as psychological as malaria. It's a matter of exposure..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b2/william-s-burroughs-528_addiction_the-idea-that-addiction-is-somehow-a-psy_2897343.png" --- # The idea that addiction is somehow a psychological illness… ![“The idea that addiction is somehow a psychological illness is, I think, totally ridiculous. It's as psychological as malaria. It's a matter of exposure. People, generally speaking, will take any intoxicant or any drug that gives them a pleasant effect if it is available to them.” quote by William S. Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b2/william-s-burroughs-528_addiction_the-idea-that-addiction-is-somehow-a-psy_2897343.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b2/william-s-burroughs-528_addiction_the-idea-that-addiction-is-somehow-a-psy_2897343.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b2/william-s-burroughs-528_addiction_the-idea-that-addiction-is-somehow-a-psy_2897343.png) > “The idea that addiction is somehow a psychological illness is, I think, totally ridiculous. It's as psychological as malaria. It's a matter of exposure. People, generally speaking, will take any intoxicant or any drug that gives them a pleasant effect if it is available to them.” [William S. Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-s-burroughs/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Addiction is framed as a biological exposure rather than a purely mental disorder, emphasizing environmental availability. **In simple terms:** Addiction is about exposure, not just mindset. Key Takeaway Address availability and environment to reduce use. Themes addiction biology environment Mood critical thoughtful Type analysis philosophical When to use this quote - policy making - education programs - community outreach Key Concepts exposure public health Questions to Reflect On - How does environment shape habit formation? - What role does personal choice play? A Different Perspective Neglects psychological factors and personal agency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Addiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/addiction/) [Addiction Psychological](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/addiction-psychological-4101708/) [Available](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/available/) [Drug](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drug/) [Effects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effects/) [Exposure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exposure/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Illness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illness/) [Illness Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illness-think-2085017/) [Malaria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/malaria/) [Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matter/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Pleasant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasant/) [Psychological](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychological/) [Psychological Illness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychological-illness-4101710/) [Psychological Malaria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychological-malaria-4101709/) [Ridiculous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ridiculous/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Wine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wine/) ## Related quotes > [“Alcoholism, of course, is more than a habit. 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