Chasing the Scream
The Opposite of Addiction is Connection
by Johann Hari
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More Recommenders
“Everything you know about addiction is wrong @johannhari101's fascinating TED talk if you haven't read his book, do | So, a few years ago I read @johannhari101’s excellent book Chasing the Scream (highly recommended). It is about the racist foundation of the War on Drugs. It’s about systemic failure illustrated with some very poignant stories, including the tragedy of Billie Holiday. 1 | Three wonderful books I recommend that pertain to drug reform and depression ? two issues in our minds this week ? and some important connections between them: ? Lost Connections by Johann Hari ? Chasing the Scream by Johann Hari ? How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan | Three wonderful books I recommend that pertain to drug reform and depression – two issues in our minds this week – and some important connections between them: • Lost Connections by Johann Hari • Chasing the Scream by Johann Hari • How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan”
Source →Recommended by 3 notable people, including Alan Cooper and B.J. Novak
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Reading Profile
Should I read this?
Johann Hari moves through countries and interviews in a narrative investigative travelogue about a century of drug prohibition. The most useful part is the human-scale case studies and side-by-side policy contrasts that make abstract debates tangible. The writing favors storytelling and moral argument over dense statistics, which helps readability but also means evidence is often anecdotal. Readers seeking a neutral, data-first policy manual will find the tone persuasive rather than dispassionate. Expect momentum early, then repetition where the author presses a particular viewpoint.
Read this if...
- •a city-level public-policy analyst preparing a short briefing for city council on alternatives to punitive drug enforcement, who needs memorable case studies and international comparisons to propose pilot policies
- •a sociology or social-policy student assembling a term paper on the history and social consequences of drug prohibition, who wants readable historical sweep plus interview-driven examples to illustrate arguments
- •an NGO outreach coordinator designing community presentations about harm-reduction, who needs human-centered stories and policy contrasts to make abstract policy options relatable to local audiences
Skip this if...
- •annoying if you prefer dense, data-heavy policy texts rather than anecdote-led narrative and rhetorical argument
- •you'll likely put it down when long, repeated travelogue vignettes and the author's advocacy voice pile up — fatigue tends to set in mid-book for readers seeking concise evidence
- •not a good fit if you want a neutral, step-by-step policy manual; tone leans toward persuasion rather than prescriptive how-to
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERIt is now one hundred years since drugs were first banned in the United States. On the eve of this centenary, journalist Johann Hari set off on an epic threeyear, thirtythousandmile journey into the war on drugs. What he found is that more and more people all over the world have begun to recognize three startling truths:...
Before You Buy
Reading Specifications
Difficulty:hard
Audience Fit
- a city-level public-policy analyst preparing a short briefing for city council on alternatives to punitive drug enforcement, who needs memorable case studies and international comparisons to propose pilot policies
- a sociology or social-policy student assembling a term paper on the history and social consequences of drug prohibition, who wants readable historical sweep plus interview-driven examples to illustrate arguments
- an NGO outreach coordinator designing community presentations about harm-reduction, who needs human-centered stories and policy contrasts to make abstract policy options relatable to local audiences
- annoying if you prefer dense, data-heavy policy texts rather than anecdote-led narrative and rhetorical argument
- you'll likely put it down when long, repeated travelogue vignettes and the author's advocacy voice pile up — fatigue tends to set in mid-book for readers seeking concise evidence
- not a good fit if you want a neutral, step-by-step policy manual; tone leans toward persuasion rather than prescriptive how-to
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Why recommended
Recommended by 3 sources and appears in Addiction, Sociology, and Politics.
Recommended by notable people
People and public figures who have recommended this book.
Recommendation Signals
Recommendation proof is sourced from public posts, interviews, reading lists, and cited references.
Fatima Bhutto
“Everything you know about addiction is wrong @johannhari101's fascinating TED talk if you haven't read his book, do | So, a few years ago I read @johannhari101’s excellent book Chasing the Scream (highly recommended). It is about the racist foundation of the War on Drugs. It’s about systemic failure illustrated with some very poignant stories, including the tragedy of Billie Holiday. 1 | Three wonderful books I recommend that pertain to drug reform and depression ? two issues in our minds this week ? and some important connections between them: ? Lost Connections by Johann Hari ? Chasing the Scream by Johann Hari ? How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan | Three wonderful books I recommend that pertain to drug reform and depression – two issues in our minds this week – and some important connections between them: • Lost Connections by Johann Hari • Chasing the Scream by Johann Hari • How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan”
View sources (3) ▾80%
Appears In
Not sure if this is the right fit?
Consider Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. Recommended by 31 sources.
“Outliers reads like a series of captivating magazine profiles, each unpacking a hidden factor behind extraordinary success. Gladwell’s storytelling makes complex social science accessible, but the book relies on memorable anecdotes rather than offering systematic analysis. The book explores the idea that individual brilliance rarely stands alone; success often hinges on birth dates, cultural legacies, and the 10,000-hour rule. While the narratives are strong, the book overgeneralizes from handpicked examples, leaving skeptical readers questioning the conclusions. It’s most useful as a conversation starter about luck and timing—annoying if you want a rigorous academic treatise or a how-to guide for your own life.”
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How recommendation signals are reviewed
Each recommendation is collected from a public source — interviews, articles, or curated lists — and linked to its original URL. Books with many verifiable recommendations from respected people rank higher.