LETTERS

HOW WE GET ADDICTED

"Now we've got someone else to blame. It's no longer, 'The devil made me do it.' We can blame God for the dopamine in our brains!" IMOGENE COX Riceville, Tenn.

Your article about the causes of addiction was a blessing [MEDICINE, May 5]. I'm a recovering alcoholic and an ex-smoker, and it took me a long time to accept addiction as a physical disease, not a character flaw, and to realize it must be dealt with in the same clinical manner as high blood pressure or cancer. I hope that one of your readers who is so afflicted will finally look at himself or herself and say, "I'm a good person. I'm just sick, and I need help." If so, you will have done more than sell a million magazines; you will have saved one life. BILL BANSBACH Drexel Hill, Pa.

As a biology watcher for many years and a professional in pain management, I'd like to sound a note of caution regarding the dopamine hypothesis of addiction. What is known about the relationship among dopamine, brain content and addictive behavior is associative, not causal. Even those of us who are advocates of greater understanding of neurotransmitter mechanisms in human behavior do not see the situation as "simpler than anyone has dared imagine." As our attempts at interdiction and control demonstrate, there is a flaw in advocating simple solutions to complex problems: the solutions are usually wrong. PHILIP C. CORY, M.D. President, CKM Diagnostics, Inc. Bozeman, Mont.

Your cover story went a long way toward helping the public understand that addiction is a disease. We in the addiction field have known there is a definite physical component. However, addiction is more complex and cannot be fully understood by just looking at brain chemistry. Addiction has physical, psychological, social-familial and spiritual aspects. To treat addiction adequately, one must address all of these. TOM HARGROVE Addictions Counselor Gallatin, Tenn

Your story left out psychology in favor of neurophysiology and thereby revealed two more serious American addictions: one, the desire to explain complex human psychology in simplistic, materialistic terms, and the other, the need for a pill to solve every problem. True, the "dopamine cycle" may reveal the physiological underpinnings of human cravings; however this is not really the whole story.

Though dopamine pleasure may "take hold" and perpetuate addictive behavior, the source of the need is psychological and relational. People turn to drugs and whatever else will give them the dopamine rush, either as a misguided way of connecting or to deaden the pain of being disconnected. But cravings, though reflected in physiology, are rooted in loss and live in thoughts and in the stories we tell ourselves. They float through the mind like a poisonous cloud and plague us with a sense of need and visions of what "might have been." ROBERT GREENWAY Olympic Ecopsychology Institute Port Townsend, Wash.

While treating addicted people on a daily basis, I have found that cognitive techniques enable people to learn new coping skills, but that a common mechanism underlying addictive behaviors is stinkin' thinkin' (a term coined by Alcoholics Anonymous long before cognitive therapy), which refers to beliefs that lead people to engage in addictive behaviors despite their potentially devastating consequences. Some types of such thinking are anticipatory beliefs ("I'm gonna win a fortune tonight at the casino"), relief-oriented beliefs ("If I smoke a cigarette, I won't be so tense") and permissive beliefs ("One piece of chocolate won't kill me"). According to cognitive therapy, "recovered" people have replaced their addictive beliefs with more adaptive ones ("I can enjoy life without drinking, drugs, gambling or smoking"). As we continue the search for common mechanisms that underlie addictions, I hope we won't forget that the mind and brain are distinct and inseparable. BRUCE S. LIESE Kansas City, Kans.

I take exception to the comment by Alan Leshner, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, that for a recovering person "the occasional relapse is normal." Thanks to the programs of A.A. and Al-Anon, the occasional relapse is not normal for our family. I learned in Al-Anon that I do not have to accept another person's active alcoholism as normal behavior; it is not. My husband has been continuously sober in the fellowship of A.A. for eight years. And we've personally known members with more than 40 years of sustained sobriety. The fact that there can be full recovery from this devastating family illness is the light at the end of the tunnel for so many of us. And the knowledge that our three-year-old son does not have to grow up in alcoholism is the greatest blessing of our lives. All it takes is the willingness to practice the principles of Al-Anon and A.A. constantly in all our affairs. HEATHER FARRELL BERNARD Staunton, Va.

Even "beneficial" activities when done to excess can be addictive. The key is to follow the ancient Greek maxim "Nothing to excess," even being overly moderate. Each person is free to interpret excess, but it is important to know one's limits ("Know thyself"). Such is the struggle of life: keeping the balance. JOE BARILE Redwood City, Calif.

The most difficult part of my two-year addiction to narcotic pain relievers was the secrecy. I needed and eventually wanted help, but was terrified of job-application inquiries about my past drug and alcohol treatments and the availability of medical histories, despite privacy laws. Although I am currently drug free, it is comforting to know that Rafael Rios, a recovered heroin addict and the director of A Safe Haven in Chicago, feared the sight of bare arms. Each time I walk into a drugstore or supermarket with a pharmacy, I can feel that pill going down my throat. NAME WITHHELD Cleveland, Ohio

As a recovering shoplifter, I know the payoff was not just the high but also the immediate gratification. Shoplifting was a way for me to express my anger, to reward myself when life didn't, and to fill emptiness. It was a way of giving myself the illusion of control. You can say all this goes back to dopamine, but haven't we seen many people who, although stabilized chemically, continue to be addicted or switch addictions? There's more to addiction than meets the neuron. TERRENCE DARYL SHULMAN Ann Arbor, Mich.

Hooray! A cure for our addictions is on the way! Although this is what everyone loves to hear, the fundamental problem of getting addicted will not go away. This leads again to what our society refuses to believe: abstinence from life's many "pleasures" is the best way to lead a pleasurable life. SCOTT WHITTAL Wallaceburg, Ont.

If we overcame our addiction to sex, all our problems would disappear--along with the human race. BRYCE DENNO Coronado, Calif.

TIGER OF MANY STRIPES

I applaud Tiger Woods' determination to reflect all his nationalities [NATION, May 5]. If I am just African American, I deny that my German mother or Blackfoot Indian grandmother had anything to do with who I am. The African Americans who say Woods is a traitor are asserting the same kind of racism that demands that I as a multiracial person must renounce my other heritages for the sake of the African-American head count. Maybe only mixed-raced people like me can be considered true Americans. Do we not embody the concept of the great American melting pot? JULIE JONES Davenport, Iowa

We should not lose sight of what Tiger really is: an extremely talented young man who will be a positive role model for years to come. AMY ERICKSON Penticton, B.C.

Taking pride in who you are is not the same as taking pride in those you are descended from. As long as ethnicity is celebrated before citizenship, our country will suffer. A true melting pot couldn't hyphenate American. DEAN O. DIXON Buena Park, Calif.

Possibly Tiger Woods, an obviously intelligent young man, says he is a "Cablinasian" as a sardonic reaction to the current madness of racial and ethnic hyphenation in the U.S. Where is American in this ludicrous mix of syllables? ALICE LONDNER Fort Lee, N.J.

PUTTING PEOPLE IN BOXES

The categorization of Americans is the most ridiculous, ludicrous invention of government bureaucrats [NATION, May 5] who, under the pretense of "protecting" minorities, invent something to do. If we continue to nurture the racial, ethnic and religious differences among us, our equalities will eventually disappear and we will become intolerant of anybody who is different from "us." BOREK JANIK Chelsea, Mich.

As the world grows smaller, it becomes harder to categorize people with one label. I come from a mixed bag of "white" nationalities. I have even been called a "mutt" and "Heinz 57 Varieties." What I am, what we all are, is American. And the longer our families remain here, the deeper our roots will get, until the countries and races we originally sprang from will become a dream and we fuse into a new people made up of different backgrounds and colors. MARY ANNE GRUEN New York City

I live for the day when there is one box to check, labeled "American." TIFFANY M. SCOTT Moncks Corner, S.C.

ARMY RECRUITERS UNDER FIRE

Your article "Offensive Maneuvers" [NATION, May 5] shows what happens when traditional Army policies are traded for feminist ideology. Ignoring the temptation that physical proximity poses during co-educational training in the armed forces has destroyed careers and weakened our defenses. Let's stop the nonsense and return to basics. ROBERT W. BART Ithaca, N.Y.

When I was 17, I joined the Navy and was harassed by a recruiter. Now at 30, I still vividly recall the incident. I completely sympathize with these young women who are being taken advantage of. I'm so tired of Army and Navy officials saying they bear no responsibility. If not, then who is responsible? I didn't ask to be attacked, nor did I at any time lead this man on. I was totally innocent. I hope the young women who have had similar experiences don't blame themselves and stand up to this abuse. CINDY MILLER Wichita, Kans.

Mark Thompson's story has not the slightest hint that the women involved should bear any responsibility for their behavior. Here we have women who are 18 years of age, considered mature, yet apparently they cannot be held responsible for their decisions involving sex. Carissa Schaper chose to lie about her medical condition and become involved in an affair with a married sergeant, yet she is treated strictly as a victim. Policies that protect women from accountability are unfair to both sexes, and will probably have a divisive influence in the years to come. CHRISTOPHER C. HEARD Nashville, Tenn.

ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES

Perhaps it's appropriate that the volunteer summit in Philadelphia [BUSINESS, May 5] took place at the same time that Grand Forks, N.D., was experiencing severe flood damage. The roll-up-your-sleeves, let's-get-moving attitude of the volunteers who helped the people of Grand Forks has made it very apparent that private, voluntary efforts can work infinitely more wonders than any government bureaucracy is ever capable of. STEPHEN V. GILMORE Charlotte, N.C.

However well intended, the President's parade in Philadelphia for volunteerism appeared to be just another exercise in political vanillaism. Who can argue with citizens helping citizens? JOEL B. MCEACHERN Miami Springs, Fla.

I'm not so sure that companies should be in the "business" of "doing good." Doesn't this take away from a sense of personal responsibility and devalue the notion that all of us should be "doing good"? Maybe if more of us did good often--starting at home and in the neighborhood--there wouldn't be such a need for "the do-good biz." JURIS MAZUTIS Nepean, Ont.

PERU'S BOLD RESCUE

My congratulations to President Fujimori for having the courage and tenacity to refuse to capitulate to the terrorist demands that he release Tupac Amaru prisoners in exchange for the hostages [WORLD, May 5]. The loss of innocent life was unfortunate, but taking no Tupac Amaru prisoners clearly means there is less motivation for future terrorists to attempt another exchange for jailed comrades. Fujimori has made Peru a safer, saner country. BURT M. RICHMOND Chicago

Your report on Peru commended President Fujimori and the military for an excellent job in ending the hostage crisis. In reality, there is no cause for celebration. Whether or not one supports the actions of the Tupac Amaru rebels, one has to remember that nobody was killed during the initial taking of the embassy or the subsequent four months. Yet after the explosive resolution of the hostage crisis, 14 rebels, three soldiers and one hostage were dead. Fujimori's action was not a triumph for Peru. It was a funeral for diplomacy, a slap in the face for peaceful negotiation, a glorification of violence. It not only may make martyrs out of the rebels but also has greatly strengthened the military. The future of democracy in the country is threatened, while the underlying problems of poverty that lead to terrorism continue to be ignored. JEFFREY W. MAHRER Raleigh, N.C.

After months of pleading with the rebels to restore the hostages to their families and after offering the kidnappers safe exit to the country of their choice, Fujimori found that his efforts were useless because of the terrorists' intransigence. Fujimori had to engage in a well-planned attack, which sadly caused 18 deaths. So I ask, Can anybody blame him for saving 71 lives? EDUARDO AGUIRRE Lima

It is hard to believe that Fujimori chose such a risky intervention in order to "increase" his popularity with the impoverished people of Peru. In this context TIME's reporters say, "If Fujimori is to stay there and run again successfully in the election three years from now, he will have to do more than chase guerrillas." Ecuadorians expect to see Fujimori acting like a democratic President, not the Rambo of Peru. The ideal is to reach a peaceful resolution of the old border issue with Ecuador before the next century, not to create a military conflict. It is time to direct public funds to provide social services. MARIO P. ANDRADE-VERA Phoenix, Ariz.

As long as brutal, authoritarian governments like Fujimori's prevail in Peru and other countries in Latin America, there will always be movements like Tupac Amaru and Shining Path to contend with. Fujimori should enjoy this so-called victory of his while he can. ALDO NICOLAS MENA Albuquerque, N.M.

Your coverage of the hostage-crisis solution in Lima was accurate and concise. Unfortunately, the much larger problems of poverty and unemployment to which you refer are not amenable to a swift and spectacular solution like the one applied here. Perhaps Fujimori would be just as bold and efficient in tackling them, but given the magnitude of the problems and the impatience of the people, he might not get the required lasting support. HUGO R. ZEA Lima

LEVEL PLAYING FIELD

Your report on federal rules to ensure equal opportunities for female student athletes [SPORT, May 5] really hit home. Our son, a high school lacrosse player, is no longer interested in attending Michigan State University because it recently dropped its men's team in an effort to comply with Title IX. Some schools have shown that proportional numbers of male and female athletes can be achieved without eliminating men's teams. But compliance is difficult for schools that carry football squads equal to four times the average of most other sports. Title IX was designed to promote fairness, a goal I applaud. But is it fair that my daughters are gaining opportunities at the expense of my son? LAWRENCE H. BERGER Devon, Pa.

In April the Brown University administration filed a Title IX compliance plan with the U.S. District Court that demotes the gymnastics team to a "donor-funded" status, effectively pronouncing a slow-death sentence for the team. This is a rejuvenated, dynamic and dedicated group of female athletes recruited well after the Title IX suit. These 21 potential recruits, eager to compete next year, would certainly represent a helpful step toward Title IX compliance. You would think that a great institution of learning like Brown would be above retaliation of this type. PAUL BOISVERT Berwick, Maine

Sports by their very physical nature are primitive, and what's primitive has profound effects. Physical competence produces psychological confidence. We see that effect from the time an infant learns to pull herself up or take her first step; the glow that comes from those achievements is unmistakable. Progressively, that confidence is known to transfer to many other areas of achievement, such as the classroom and the realm of leadership. Thank heavens for girls and also for Title IX. M. BURCH TRACY FORD, Head Miss Porter's School Farmington, Conn.

Title IX isn't about a level playing field; it's about a separate playing field. Whenever women have to compete with men on a level field, they have been unable to do it. The result is that standards are lowered for women but not for men. Congress actually reduced the standards for women in the military, setting the stage for the sexist double standard for physical requirements. JASON LARIX Missoula, Mont.

MOTHERS OF A CERTAIN AGE

Where are all the bible defenders in the uproar directed at the 63-year-old California woman having a baby [WASHINGTON DIARY, May 5]? Do not the Jews of old owe their existence to an "old" woman? What of the other "old" women of the Bible who bore children? It's time our religious leaders made a statement. Let the moderns keep quiet. PHYLLIS MOORE Las Vegas

FAITH VS. MEDICINE

It is beyond my comprehension that people would carry their religious beliefs so far as to cause the deaths of their children, not once but twice [RELIGION, May 5]. The Nixons should have been jailed the first time, and perhaps that might have prevented a second tragedy. ABBIE HEPPE, age 14 Wayne, Pa.

After several thousand years, you would think we would stop the Jezebels (the American Medical Association) from attempting to kill Elijah and the Prophets, who just want to depend on their God for the preservation of their lives. Your story on Dennis and Lorie Nixon, "Her Dying Prayers," illustrates the typical '90s rush to judgment that would convict a family on the basis of its religious beliefs and the fact that its members pray to God for healing. Were Jesus traveling the roads of Altoona, Pa., rather than Galilee, healing the sick and preaching, he would have been tried under the full power of prosecuting attorney William Haberstroh. CASEY W. WRIGHT Phoenix, Ariz.

To insist that sicknesses be treated with prayer alone is stubborn willfulness; to impose such conditions on children should be considered criminal. But Pennsylvania, where the Nixon children died, and 45 other states have religious exemptions in their child-abuse and -neglect laws, denying the 14th Amendment right, equal protection under the law, to children of members of the Faith Tabernacle, the Christian Science Church and various other sects. When child-protection groups have petitioned legislatures to remove these exemptions, the legislators have bowed to church lobbying and refused. If parents of children dead for lack of medical care have "suffered enough," legislators have not. MARION S. COOLEY Wyoming, Ohio

The person who needs to be jailed is the dead children's grandfather and family pastor, Charles Nixon, for filling the minds of his trusting parishioners with rubbish and for distorting Scripture. Nowhere does the Bible say that sick children should be denied proper medical treatment or that it's "God's will" for children to die. "Freedom of religion" doesn't mean condoning murder. How many more children must die before the Faith Tabernacle Congregation is shut down and the pastor defrocked? (The Rev.) SALLY L. CARPENTER Seelyville, Ind

NEW-MILLENNIUM TRANSPORTATION

News that the ashes of LSD guru Timothy Leary and Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry have been put into orbit [NOTEBOOK, May 5] reminds me that according to Jewish tradition, the Prophet Elijah is already there. Just think, it took the Celestis firm and a 20th century rocket to accomplish what Elijah did thousands of years ago with a whirlwind and an old-fashioned chariot. WILBUR F. ENSEY Meadowlands, Minn.

REMEMBERING F.D.R.

High Sidey's commentary urging that the memorial statues of Franklin D. Roosevelt [AMERICAN SCENE, April 28] show him in a wheelchair made me want to scream. Are we building a memorial to a great President or to a distinguished polio victim? If I were famous enough to have a memorial statue, would the hearing impaired of America demand it show me with a hearing aid in each ear? We are fortunate that the protesters don't demand the memorial represent F.D.R. by an empty wheelchair. GEORGE ZINNEMANN Annapolis, Md.

If Roosevelt during his lifetime did not want anyone to know he could not walk without help, why should his disability be emphasized in death? ERNEST PORTER Chappaqua, N.Y.

ADVERTISING ON ELLEN

Your story on Ellen DeGeneres and her decision to "come out" on her show [TELEVISION, April 14] inaccurately stated that Chrysler, among other companies, announced it would not continue to sponsor the show. Chrysler did not advertise on the April 30 show because of the media sensationalism surrounding that particular episode. We did resume our advertising on the May 7 show. MEGAN GILES, Dodge Brand Public Relations Manager Chrysler Corporation Auburn Hills, Michigan

WHERE HAVE ALL THE ICONS GONE?

Your cover story on the most influential people in the U.S. [THE TIME 25, April 21] was a sad commentary on the direction in which American society is evolving. There was a time when American icons influenced history by their strong moral leadership. Today they are predominantly career bureaucrats, par-tisan activists, shallow entertainers, mediocre musicians, salvation gurus, shock artists and others who make a living dredging the murky depths of society. In a society where the social fabric is frayed and there is little role for human values, any icon that people can cling to seems a good one. The process that makes most of your list influential is the same one that makes people join crazy cults that promise instant family, instant society, instant salvation. There were three people on your list who have the stature and the ability to provide true moral leadership and vision to the world--Madeleine Albright, Colin Powell and George Soros. Has American society unraveled to such an extent that you could not find 22 more people like them? MAYUKH K. DHAR Jeddah, Saudi Arabia