VIDEO: Matthew Perry’s view of addiction

We all know Matthew Perry tragically died last week.

We also know the star of Friends suffered from addiction his entire adult life.

Obviously, I respect Matthew’s passing and will only focus on his view of addiction here, because this is as a man who attended over 6,000 AA meetings (an organization that has always taught the polar opposite of what I teach) and the whole situation seems radically relevant to my training.

And, Matthew’s problem wasn’t just with booze…

His words:

“When I’m carrying weight, it’s alcohol; when I’m skinny, it’s pills. When I have a goatee, it’s lots of pills.”

MATTHEW PERRY

About a decade back, there was a televised argument between Matthew Perry and Peter Hitchens, the disgruntled brother of the late, great—and famously more famous—Christopher Hitchens.

While Christopher rose to stardom via religious debates (witty enough to birth a new term to describe his general use of logic as… the ‘Hitchslap’) Peter was busy writing a book he regularly complains nobody bought, on the ‘fantasy’ of addiction.

(his words)

A situation ripe for battle emerged:

• Matthew Perry says addiction is a disease
• Peter Hitchens says addiction is not a disease

And so, the heated LIVE TV battle began..

Matthew used himself as an example of a victim, in an attempt to prove that he was powerless against addiction—a dangerous mental game to play—as even the most amateur mindset enthusiast knows. Even in Evolve Already, we have entire lessons on the importance of not identifying with your behavior.

Example:

You are not an alcoholic.

You’ve just been drinking a lot lately.

All of which is the opposite of what AA teaches, btw.

My opinion:

As for whether addiction is a disease or not?

That subject is superfluous.

Call it a virus.

Call it a disease.

Call it an allergy.

Call it a bad habit or call it a bunny rabbit for all I care. It is unimportant which label you choose for the global phenomenon of addiction.

As for the beef between Matthew Perry and Peter Hitchens… I believe they are both right and wrong, depending on who they are talking about.

…So I side with Henry Ford…

…who famously said this:

“If you think you can do a thing or think you can’t do a thing, you’re right.”

HENRY FORD

Although I have great respect for everyone I have just mentioned, I believe Henry Ford’s mindset, impact on the world, and overall success, dwarfs everyone else’s combined. I also believe his simple quote is more profound than anything Peter or Matt brought to the round table of addiction.

That’s all I have to say about it.

RIP Matthew Perry.

Keep Reality Real,

Tristan Weatherburn
https://tristanweatherburn.com

PS. Here’s a shorter, 3 minute version of the argument I speak of:

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