Addiction

Explains what the common families of addictive drugs are, what they do to the brain, how addictions to different drugs vary and how the symptoms of each drug can be treated. The book also covers topics including new education and treatment programs, AIDS research and the legalization debate.

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Addictions to various drugs (including caffeine and nicotine) are specific diseases with distinct symptoms and treatment requirements and must be approached accordingly. That is the argument of Dr Avram Goldstein, whose opinions and recommendations are based on a lifetime of research into the effects of drugs on the brain, behaviour and society. He explains what the common families of addictive drugs are, what they do to the brain, how addictions to different drugs vary and how the symptoms of each type of addiction can be treated. "Goldstein succeeds where few other sensible scientists would dare to tread." New Scientist