What If It Were You?

By: Cassandra Souleles

The question I get asked most about my research is: “Why addiction?” 

My answer is always the same: “Because it’s my biggest fear.” 

I then wait for the confused look that usually follows, and eventually the reassurance: “You don’t seem like the type. No need to worry about that.” But most people don’t understand that addiction doesn’t pick and choose who it affects; it doesn’t discriminate. It can happen to the homeless man on St-Catherine just as easily as it can happen to the CEO of a company, or even to you. The fact that a single decision to try a substance could fundamentally change the way the brain processes reward and motivation is terrifying.