What really causes addiction — to everything from cocaine to smart-phones? And how can we overcome it? Johann Hari has seen our current methods fail firsthand, as he has watched loved ones struggle to manage their addictions. He started to wonder why we treat addicts the way we do — and if there might be a better way. As he shares in this deeply personal talk, his questions took him around the world, and unearthed some surprising and hopeful ways of thinking about an age-old problem.

Understanding both the medical and science behind drug use patterns and drug use disorders is absolutely critical for purposes of designing an effective response. And as Johann Hari notes, the day we are ready to accept the science, drug control policies will have to change radically.

Please watch his TED talk below. In Lao, the word for 'understand' is 'khao chai' - which actually means that something enters one's heart. I think Hari's way of explaining addiction helps us understand drug use with our hearts. If you want to watch the video with Thai subtitles, please click here.