drugs discourse in denial: can we talk about pleasure yet? dayle stubbs australian injecting &...
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Drugs Discourse In Denial:Can We Talk About Pleasure
Yet?Dayle Stubbs
Australian Injecting & Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL)
Why Pleasure?
Pleasure is fundamental
To the human condition
To happiness, to a good life, a pleasant life
Pleasure
Absence of Displeasure
Satisfaction
(Martin 2008: 148)
Pleasure in Context: The Dilemma
People use drugs because it feels good, but
In treatment settings, we must NOT speak of pleasure – we must erase it from memory
Treatment Settings: Silencing Pleasure
The Million Dollar Question:
“Why do you use drugs?”
“Because I like it”
Why can’t we talk about pleasure?
Why is pleasure unacknowledged and unexplored in treatment settings?
And what are the consequences for that?
Why we can’t talk about pleasureMoralism of Abstinence
Pleasure framed as false
Drug user as inauthentic, as less – as an object of either pity or derision
Pleasure As The Missing Link?Could treatment experiences (and
outcomes) be improved if we were allowed to acknowledge pleasure?
