NCJ Number
194642
Date Published
2001
Length
367 pages
Annotation
In this second edition of Addiction, the focus is placed on the neurobiology of drug addiction or the science of addiction and what is known, what needs to be learned, and how what is learned provides the basis for informed rational drug policies.
Abstract
A drug is defined as any chemical agent that affects biologic function. Addictive drugs pose dangers to the health of users. Drug addiction starts with exposure of the brain to a substance belonging to one of the seven families of addictive drugs, alcohol, heroin and other opiates, cocaine and amphetamines, marijuana, caffeine, and hallucinogens. The seven families differ from one another in chemistry, effects on behavior, long-term harm, and the likelihood of a compulsive use pattern developing. As in the first edition, the second edition of Addiction continues to address three major areas of drug addiction, how drugs act on the brain, how each drug causes addiction, and what impact the addictive drugs have on society. As each chapter retains it same format, each contains new developments in the area of brain research and addiction. In Part One, an explanation is presented on what is known about the biology of the drug addictions or brain chemistry and how it is known. In Part Two, the medical and psychological features of each drug addiction is discussed. In Part Three, the final section, consideration is given to some of the history, sociology, and politics of the drug problem. In conclusion, the author presents his own thoughts regarding drug policy and the Nation. These thoughts consist of how to reduce the bad effects of addictive drugs on users and society and at the same time keep to a minimum the harm caused by governmental intrusions and punitive sanctions. Index