addictionliterature

Addiction literature refers to fictional and non-fictional works that center on addiction and its social, psychological, and physical dimensions. It covers substances such as alcohol, opiates, and stimulants, as well as behavioral addictions like gambling or gaming. The term encompasses memoirs, essays, novels, and biographies, and often examines personal experience, family impact, treatment systems, policy debates, and pathways to recovery.

Works in this field include novels, memoirs, documentary journalism, and clinical case histories. Common themes include stigma and shame, the biology and psychology of dependence, relapse and resilience, access to care, and the social environments that sustain or hinder recovery. Narratives may take a realist, empathetic, or critical approach to addiction and its responses in society.

Notable works and figures include fiction such as Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh, Requiem for a Dream by Hubert Selby Jr., and The Lost Weekend by Charles R. Jackson; Go Ask Alice as a controversial diary; and nonfiction such as Beautiful Boy by David Sheff and In the Realm of the Hungry Ghosts by Gabor Maté. These works influence scholarly and public discourse on addiction.

The field is studied within literary studies, medical humanities, and social sciences. It is valued for providing insight into lived experience and policy implications, while critics caution against sensationalism or romanticization. As a cross-disciplinary area, addiction literature contributes to understanding how culture shapes perceptions of dependency and approaches to care and recovery.