The Craving Brain: The BioBalance Approach to Controlling Addictions [Hardcover]

Ronald A. Ruden (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0060186984 | ISBN-13: 978-0060186982 | Publication Date: March 19, 1997 | Edition: 1st

This work argues that addiction is about the interaction between certain abused substances or activities and certain chemicals in the brain. It explains how addictive behaviour can be changed by the use of drugs, specifically fenfluramine and phentermine, to alter the levels of two brain chemicals, serotonin and dopamine. Dr Ruden and other doctors have made breakthroughs in treating a wide spectrum of craving disorders such as obesity, alcoholism, heroin and cocaine addiction, as well as hypersensitivity diseases such as asthma, eczema and psoriasis. The book explains in understandable language about compulsive-addictive behaviour and how it can be changed by altering the chemical imbalance in the brain.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Ruden (Byalick is his helping pen) is quick to state his belief that alcoholism and other addictions are diseases, not the consquences of lack of willpower, and should be seen and treated as such. Addiction arises, he says, from an imbalance between the effects of dopamine ("gotta have it") and serotonin ("got it") and is a matter of degree, which accounts for why one person can be unaffected by a single drink while another, after a single drink, immediately and always goes on a binge. The first step in achieving biobalance, as Ruden calls it, is removing stress; the second involves disposing of denial. Those seeking biobalance must work hard at emphasizing what is positive, right, and good in their personalities and actions, and Ruden, although he says this is not a self-help book, offers suggestions for moving along the path to biobalance and appends 60 pages of annotated references to the key scientific literature supporting his arguments. William Beatty

Review

"A remarkable achievement. Dr. Ruden has managed to articulate a simple and elegant model that explains far-reaching aspects of human behavior, most notably the devastating problem of addiction. This will provide the impetus for study and investigation for years to come."

-- David M. McDowell, M.D., New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons

"Ruden, medical director of the Biobalance Center of New York, unveils a new theory of addiction, explaining the physical elements of addiction as well as the reasons people become addicted to food and drugs. He outlines a successful treatment for people suffering from addictions of all kinds, involving medically altering levels of two brain chemicals, dopamine and serotonin."

-- "Book News, Inc.

"The first step in achieving biobalance, as Ruden calls it, is removing stress; the second involves disposing of denial. Those seeking biobalance must work hard at emphasizing what is positive, right, and good in their personalities and actions, and Ruden, although he says this is not a self-help book, offers suggestions for moving along the path to biobalance and appends 60 pages of annotated references to the key scientific literature supporting his arguments."

-- "Booklist

"Dr. Ruden's approach to addiction is informative, elegant, and a pleasure to read. It is clear he has mastered a difficult, often murkyfield which will hopefully aid many of our patients and provide new pathways for research."

-- Douglas Marcus, M.D., senior attending physician, South Oakes Hospital, Amityville, New York

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Harper; 1st edition (March 19, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060186984
• ISBN-13: 978-0060186982
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #604,845 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gem of a book for out-front ideas on addictions, July 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Craving Brain: The BioBalance Approach to Controlling Addictions (Hardcover)

The book is very readable for the non-medical community. It gets right to the point of the author's 'biobalance' theory. References to research are detailed. Author frames his explanation of theory to be comprehensive, but readily understandable. Seems to build a plateau from which further research would and should continue. My only reservations: seems to be a lack of research on the 'smoking gun' portions of theory (especially, not enough detail on the phen-fen studies to evaluate their true importance). I give this 5 stars because an audience that would be even mildly interested in this subject can take alot away from this book. It is a fast read, but will make your mind think about your brain (or others' brains) many times after you put this book down.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ruden a True Pioneer in the Field of Addiction, September 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Craving Brain: The BioBalance Approach to Controlling Addictions (Hardcover)

Ruden's work is revolutionary. Not the final word, of course, but as a psychologist in the field I can say that The Craving Brain has been of immense value to me in both my research and clinical work. I recommend this book to anyone who is trying to understand and overcome an addiction.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book. A good reference to brain chemisty., May 18, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Craving Brain: The BioBalance Approach to Controlling Addictions (Hardcover)

This book is good in that it kinda skips past the self-help oppinionated stuff and helps the reader understand the chemistry of addition. The book makes alot of sense and gives good insight. I reccomend it.