Chasing the Scream

The New York Times Bestseller

The Inspiration for the Feature Film The United States vs. Billie Holiday

"Screamingly addictive" STEPHEN FRY
"Superb ... Thrilling storytelling" NAOMI KLEIN
"A powerful contribution to an urgent debate" Guardian

Chasing the Scream by Johann Hari is an unflinching exploration of the history and science behind addiction. Hari embarks on a three-year, thirty-thousand-mile journey across nine countries, piecing together the complex and often surprising narrative of drug dependency. Through captivating human stories, the book reveals how addiction impacts individuals and societies, challenging long-standing views about the nature of addiction and how it should be addressed.

One of the author's earliest memories is of trying in vain to wake up a relative who was struggling with addiction. This personal connection propels him into a deep and empathetic investigation, where he discovers the roots and causes of addiction. Hari introduces readers to people from all walks of life who have been touched by addiction, from a grandmother smuggling crack to her grandson, to a hitman for the most infamous drug cartel in history.

With meticulous research and heartfelt storytelling,Chasing the Scream lays bare the surprising and often harrowing facts about the war on drugs, its origins, and its far-reaching consequences. The book argues that everything we've been told about addiction is wrong, suggesting new ways to combat the problem with compassion and understanding rather than punishment and exclusion.

The insights from Hari's journey have sparked a global conversation, influencing public policy and reshaping how society views and handles addiction. The book serves as the foundation for his widely-viewed TED talk and animation, which have been seen over twenty million times. Chasing the Scream is not only a story of personal discovery but a call to action, urging a rethink of one of society's most pressing issues.