Addiction: From Biology to Drug Policy

by Avram Goldstein

Book Overview

Drug addiction is a brain disease--that's the modern view and it is fully expressed in this up-to-date book. Among the many volumes on drugs written for lay readers, this one is unique in the breadth of its coverage and the depth of its science. The first part gives a clear scientificaccount of the nature of addiction, stressing neurobiology and addictive behavior and describing the "highs" that drugs can produce. The second section covers the seven families of addictive drugs, with emphasis on their actions in the brain and on psychological aspects: nicotine, alcohol, heroinand other opiates, cocaine and amphetamines, marijuana, caffeine, and hallucinogens like LSD. The third section deals with laws and drug control policies. Throughout, the author gives many interesting personal accounts of addiction research, to which he has highlighted new research on the geneticsand neurobiology of susceptibility to addiction.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0716723840
• ISBN13: 9780716723844
• Release Date: January 1994
• Publisher: W.H. Freeman & Company
• Length: 321 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.2" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

interesting and informative also an easy read

As a neophyte teacher in the field, I have been scouring bookstores and libraries for sources of information to update myself and to present to students. I have found this book as exiting to read as any novel and chalk full of understandable information. Latest research, logical and clear annalogies. Quickly became my #1 favorite resourc