A new understanding of the nature and progression of alcohol addiction is emerging: alcoholism as the result of an imbalance in the brain's natural production of neurotransmitters critical to our sense of well-being. This imbalance, which an increasing amount of evidence is demonstrating to be genetically influenced, produces a craving temporarily satisfied by drinking. "Alcohol and the Addictive Brain" is an account of the recent scientific discoveries concerning alcoholism.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
Four decades of research on addiction strongly suggest that alcoholism is caused by a genetic anomaly affecting the functioning of neurotransmitters within the brain. Blum, a pharmacologist, and Payne, executive director of the National Foundation for Addictive Diseases, summarize major research in this field, including Blum's own dramatic work in identifying a defect in the dopamine D2 receptor gene. The biochemical systems involved in the interaction of alcohol with the brain are extremely complex, and Blum and Payne's detailed, scientific account may discourage all but the most motivated reader. Nevertheless, Blum's stunning discovery and the promise it holds for future treatment should generate considerable interest. For academic and large public libraries.
- Laurie Bartolini, Lincoln Lib., Springfield, Ill.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
- Laurie Bartolini, Lincoln Lib., Springfield, Ill.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
At last a methodologically rigorous study of alcoholism,
By
This review is from: Alcohol and the Addictive Brain (Hardcover)
I first acquired this book shortly after it was published in 1991, and I have now been continuously sober for over eleven years. The hypothesis that alcoholism is an empirically identifiable neurochemical imbalance in the brain is still met with strong resistance by drunks, moralists and many therapists. Unfortunately for these sometimes vocal critics, Blum and Payne present compelling laboratory evidence that it is as much a neurological disorder as Parkinson's or epilepsy.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Explanation of Alcoholism Neurochemistry and Genetics, Reward Deficiency Syndrome, Alcohol Metabolism , Craving,
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Alcohol and the Addictive Brain (Hardcover)
Alcohol and the Addictive Brain is possibly the best published explanation of genetic and neurochemical causes of alcohol dependence, withdrawal and craving. This book explains how genetically susceptible individuals, differ neurochemically from nonalcoholics, and how alcohol alters dopamine, GABA, serotonin, norepinephrine and opiate neurotransmitter and neurotransmitter receptor levels. Inherited differences in P300 brainwaves are thoroughly explained. The history of alcohol neurotransmitter research is reported, objectively, with fair consideration given to opposing views. This book is surprisingly readable, considering the complexity of the research it explains. Enkephalinase inhibition treatments, which Blum has refined, are an especially promising possibility for reducing alcohol craving and dependence. The explanation of transformation of alcohol to acetaldehyde, and subsequently to beta carboline, tetrahydroisoquinolines, morphine, codeine and other opiates, remains useful today and helps explain why naltrexone and accupuncture can reduce alcohol craving and consumption.
Wider comprehension of the neurochemical concepts explained in this book, could help alcohol treatment advance beyond the slide rule era technology, which most treatment programs persist in providing. Unfortunately, this book appears to be out of print. I was fortunate enough to order one of the last available copies of this book, from Amazon. I first encountered this book, at the Denver Public Library, and you may be able to obtain it, on the worldcat internet library system. It will be worth your effort to obtain it on interlibrary loan, if necessary. Steven Sponaugle
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Buying Experience!!,
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This review is from: Alcohol and the Addictive Brain (Hardcover)
The book was in better condition than I thought it would be in. It was shipped here on time. I highly recommend doing business w/this seller!
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
Alcoholism is one of the most disruptive problems in our society. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
dopamine aldehyde, synaptic fluid, craving behavior, alcohol over water, brain enkephalins, reward sites, alcohol consumption decreases, alcohol preference, opiate receptor sites, hydrocinnamic acid, compulsive diseases, addictive brain, reward area, narcotic antagonist naloxone, ethanol preference, natural opioids, delta receptors, alcohol craving, end bulb, human alcoholics, brain calcium, average reaction time, cascade theory, reducing craving, research pathways Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, Alcoholics Anonymous, United States, Twelve Steps, University of California, Lost Child, Ernest Noble, Problem Child, San Francisco, Avram Goldstein, Eric Simon, Higher Power, Oxford University Press, San Antonio, University of Texas, Health Science Center, Robert Myers, Gardner Press, Gerald Cohen, Plenum Press, Zalman Amit, John Wallace, Journal of Neurochemistry, Pompano Beach, Stanford University New!
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Alcoholism is one of the most disruptive problems in our society. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
dopamine aldehyde, synaptic fluid, craving behavior, alcohol over water, brain enkephalins, reward sites, alcohol consumption decreases, alcohol preference, opiate receptor sites, hydrocinnamic acid, compulsive diseases, addictive brain, reward area, narcotic antagonist naloxone, ethanol preference, natural opioids, delta receptors, alcohol craving, end bulb, human alcoholics, brain calcium, average reaction time, cascade theory, reducing craving, research pathways Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
New York, Alcoholics Anonymous, United States, Twelve Steps, University of California, Lost Child, Ernest Noble, Problem Child, San Francisco, Avram Goldstein, Eric Simon, Higher Power, Oxford University Press, San Antonio, University of Texas, Health Science Center, Robert Myers, Gardner Press, Gerald Cohen, Plenum Press, Zalman Amit, John Wallace, Journal of Neurochemistry, Pompano Beach, Stanford University New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
21
books
cite this book:
See all 21 books citing this book
- Beyond the Influence: Understanding and Defeating Alcoholism by Katherine Ketcham on 10 pages
- You Mean I Don't Have to Feel This Way?: New Help for Depression, Anxiety, and Addiction by Colette Dowling on 4 pages
- SOS Sobriety/12 Step Program by James Christopher on page 30, page 43, and Back Matter
- The Natural Medicine Guide to Addiction (Healthy Mind Guides) by Stephanie Marohn in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
- Transformation and Recovery: A Guide for the Design and Development of Acupuncture-Based Chemical Dependency Treatment Programs by Alex Brumbaugh in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
See all 21 books citing this book
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