Scope and Format

The development and compilation of this series have been a truly collaborative effort. Nine internationally recognized addiction experts have served on the editorial board for this project. The board is composed of Peter Miller, PhD, Medical University of South Carolina; Mary Larimer, PhD, University of Washington; Kyle Kampman, MD, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; David Kavanagh, PhD, Queensland University of Technology; Samuel Ball, PhD, Yale University School of Medicine; Phillipe DeWitte, MD, Université Catholique de Louvain (Belgium); Marsha Bates, PhD, Rutgers University; Nancy Petry, PhD, University of Connecticut Health Center; and Arthur Blume, PhD, Washington State University. The board members were chosen to provide a wide range of interdisciplinary expertise.

The board members were responsible for selecting and inviting authors for chapters in their specialty areas and to provide editorial guidance. Chapters are authored by reputable, well-recognized authorities in the addictions field. Authors were selected for their expertise and experience, with particular emphasis placed on selecting an international group with diverse philosophies and research backgrounds.

Each chapter is approximately 6500 words in length. Chapters consist of approximately 10 printed pages each, ranging from 5 to 15 pages depending on the topic. Many chapters include tables and figures to better illustrate data. Authors were asked to summarize current knowledge in their areas without providing references within the text. Thus, the work reads like an encyclopedia, providing the reader with an overview of the state-of-the-art rather than an in-depth research report. A further reading and web site list are provided at the end of each chapter for those who require research references and more detailed information. In addition, an outline, glossary, list of keywords, and list of cross-references are provided for each chapter.

The hope is that this compendium will provide a universal platform for a more science-based approach to the study, prevention and treatment of addictions. The ultimate goal is to improve the lives of addicted individuals and their families throughout the world through a more comprehensive and detailed understanding of the addictive process.

Volume 1: Principles of Addiction

This first volume, Principles of Addiction, provides scientific information in two broad categories: the nature of addiction and types of addiction. The volume sets off the series by giving an overview of what is known about the addictive process as well as a depiction of each of the known addictive behaviors and disorders.

Chapters related to the nature of addiction are designed to provide basic descriptions of current knowledge of the addictive process in terms of its initial development, mechanisms of action, and basic characteristics. Chapters cover the history of the study and treatment of addiction, its epidemiology as well as its basic definitions, diagnostic criteria, and theoretical models. Essential characteristics of dependence, including loss of control, tolerance, craving, withdrawal, denial, and relapse, are explained and discussed. Chapters cover a wide range of information regarding etiology and developmental course. The influence of gender, stress, family, and peer influence is explained. Associated features such as stress and psychiatric comorbidities (e.g. depression) are included. Coverage of many of these issues includes both excessive use of substances as well as true dependence and why some people “mature out” of these behaviors and others become entrapped in severe addiction.

To demonstrate the all-inclusive nature of this volume, there are chapters on 27 different addictions, both substance-focused and behavioral. Topics of substance-focused use and abuse include alcohol, heroin, cocaine marijuana, hallucinogens, ecstasy/MDMA, inhalants, ketamine, anabolic-androgenic steroids, prescription and over-the-counter medications, tobacco, caffeine and energy drinks, food, areca nut, khat, and water pipe smoking. Behavioral excesses include gambling, shopping, exercise, work, and sex as well as behaviors that have become potential problems in contemporary society such as cybersex, virtual worlds on the internet, video games, cell phone use and texting, and social networking. For both substance-related and behavioral excesses authors were asked to address the issue of whether or not there is enough scientific evidence to classify each as a true “addiction.” For example, there is controversy over whether or not excessive sexual activity and food consumption constitute true addictions from a diagnostic sense. Unfortunately, scientific study of many of the behavioral addictions is so recent (with the exception of gambling) that little is known about these syndromes.

A few substances are so new that little is known about them. They were not included in this volume since no major human studies have yet been conducted on their use, mechanisms of action, abuse potential, or health effects. For example, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) describes three such emerging drugs: “spice,” an herbal mixture with effects similar to marijuana; salvia, an herb that causes hallucinations and psychotic-like symptoms; and “bath salts,” a synthetic compound with amphetamine-like effects that result in increased blood pressure and heart rate. In time, more scientific knowledge will be accumulated on these substances but, at this stage, it is apparent that the drug culture is able to stay one step ahead of the addiction specialists in developing new compounds to use and abuse.

In summary, this volume provides a basic understanding of the definitional and diagnostic differences between use, abuse, and disorder. It describes in great detail the characteristics of these syndromes and various etiological models. Finally, it provides detailed descriptions of a variety of addictive behaviors and disorders and their...