Preventing Addiction [Paperback]

John C. Fleming (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 20, 2006

Endorsed by Dr. Laura on her national radio show on April 28, 2008:

"PREVENTING ADDICTION focuses on current research that strongly suggests that a "critical timeframe exists in the life of a young person in which exposure to certain substances (that we don't necessarily consider to be drugs in a traditional sense) can trigger addiction." The book challenges the common beliefs about addiction, and imparts wisdom learned through years of seeing first-hand drug abuse and its impact on families and society from a practicing physician. Dr. Fleming feels that it is imperative to know that addiction almost always begins during childhood and adolescence. Furthermore, he believes that everyone should be aware that every child is potentially a future drug addict. In PREVENTING ADDICTION Dr. Fleming provides answers to questions that continue to perplex many parents and Dr. Fleming provides a step-by-step "blueprint" arranged by age for raising a non-addicted child. I highly recommend it.

by Dr. Laura Schlessinger, The Dr. Laura Show, a nationally syndicated radio talk show.

Written by Louisiana's family doctor of the year for 2007 and the father of four, Preventing Addiction: What Parents Must Do to Immunize Their Kids Against Alcohol and Drug Addiction provides answers to questions that continue to perplex many parents: * Why can't our kids "just say no" to alcohol and drugs? * What do we need to know to immunize our kids against addiction? * What do we need to do to prevent addiction? Combining the latest scientific research with the important principles involved in building moral character in young people, Dr. Fleming provides: * Indisputable facts about the consequences of early first use of addicting substances on the developing brain. * Critical information about depression, attention-span disorders, and other conditions that contribute to addiction. * Tools and techniques to help parents prevent early first use, at all costs! * A "blueprint" for rearing a non-addicted child.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Reviews of the book: "Preventing Addiction is an essential handbook for any adult who cares for children and teens because any child born is a potential, later drug addict, according to Dr. Fleming. It is any easy to read handbook that teaches us not only how addiction evolves, but how it really can be prevented with the proper techniques. I highly recommend it" --Jesse Dylan, Host of The Good Life Show, Channel 114 LIME, Cirrus Network

"......Dr. Fleming has composed a masterpiece of helpful information" ".....Preventing Addiction deserves to be widely read, carefully studied and faithfully utilized." --Wayne L. DuBose, B.A. ThM., counselor and pastor of First Baptist Church, Minden, LA

"My wife loved Dr. Fleming's book so much that she is using it to teach her high school health class about the causes, dangers and ways to prevent addiction." --John Brewer, host, KNOC-AM "Talkback Natchitoches

About the Author

John C. Fleming is a medical doctor who practices medicine in Minden, Louisiana.

Product Details

• Paperback: 308 pages
• Publisher: CrossHouse Publishing; 1st edition (November 20, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0929292456
• ISBN-13: 978-0929292458
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,724,273 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A native of Meridian, MS, Dr. Fleming attended the University of Mississippi for his undergraduate and medical education and received his MD in 1976. He served as chief resident during the last year of his three year residency in Family Medicine at Naval Regional Medical Center, Camp Pendleton, California. During his residency he trained at the drug and alcohol treatment unit at Navy Regional Medical Center, Long Beach, California, which was then a pioneer in chemical dependency treatment. He is board certified in his specialty and has been recertified every seven years as required by the American Board of Family Practice.

While serving in the US Navy after his residency, Dr. Fleming practiced military family medicine on the Island of Guam as well as Charleston, SC. He maintained a varied professional and community presence in the private sector while in the Navy. He served as Guam's director of drug and alcohol treatment and chairman of the Navy's Family Advocacy Committee for Guam from 1979-1981.

Since 1982 Dr. Fleming has been in private practice. Areas of emphasis for his practice have been the treatment of depression, Attention Span Disorder, and prevention of chronic disease. He is a strong proponent of computerization of medical records and improvement of patient information flow. His office was the first medical office in Louisiana to have a fully 'paperless' electronic medical records system.

Minden Medical Center is the local community hospital at which Dr. Fleming practices. He has served on a number of committees as well as serving as president of the medical staff and on the hospital board.

Dr. Fleming and his wife, Cindy, have been married since 1978. They have four children ranging from ages 17-27 which include daughters Breck and Brook-lyn and sons, J.C. and Barrett. His family has been active members of First Baptist Church, Minden, LA where Dr. Fleming has served as a deacon and is currently a Sunday school department director. Dr. Fleming enjoys playing classical music on his piano and enjoys staying fit practicing karate, in which he is a JKA third degree black belt.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars For every complex problem..., August 25, 2010

By 

WCH - See all my reviews

This review is from: Preventing Addiction (Paperback)

While Dr. Fleming undoubtedly means well; his professional frustration at watching young lives being likely irretrievably screwed up by drugs a powerful motivator to write this book; I am concerned as to the presentation of oversimplified solutions for a complex problem. This book is a bit dangerous and that is best expressed by the dictum: "For every complex problem, there is a solution that is clear, simple...and wrong." With all due respect, this appears to be one of a very long list of self-help books that reflect more the necessarily constricted world-view of the author as opposed to truly explaining a very complex problem that has genetic, environmental and psychosocial components that are as varied as the human race.

This is a Christian, self-published book. It reflects that view of the world. And that is not necessarily the most widely held, or necessarily correct view of the world for many people. It could provide reinforcement for common sense parenting for people familiar with Dr. Fleming's milieu. But not for everyone.

Addiction is a personality disorder. The complexities are as varied as life itself. As a 40-year career physician, specializing in complex pain and addiction problems, raised in a Republican, fundamentalist Christian, rural environment (Thus, I likely as well as anyone, understand Dr. Fleming's background both socially and professionally), I can say from life experience and professional experience, that this book, if it works at all, will work best for those who come from Dr. Fleming's background and who, if they find it useful, probably didn't need it. They knew how to do these things already. For those who need the help, it will not often be relevant. They won't "get it". Especially if they are not of the religious, psychological and social milieu for which it was written. For those who need the help, the situation is almost always more complex than presented in this book. And the Christian emphasis leaves a very large segment of the population with minimal frame of reference.

For example, the section on "gateway drugs" and "introductory substances" does not fit with current research findings, in behavioral or medical studies. It is, in short, fabricated out of new cloth. Again for example, alcohol and THC are vastly different from each other. Their effects on the brain are not anywhere near the same. They do not have a common pathway. They are not even remotely similar in addictive potential or in the mechanism of brain effect. This book vastly oversimplifies the neurochemistry and consequently the behavioral effects of these drugs. This section does a disservice.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Preventing Addiction by Dr. J. C. Fleming: A Review, December 10, 2006

By 

Dr. Lee Walker "Dr. Lee Walker" (Tuscaloosa, AL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Preventing Addiction (Paperback)

This excellent book is designed for parents of teens and youngsters who need the ammunition to prevent addiction problems. The author, being a Doctor of Medicine in Family Practice, has seen his share of addiction problems, so you are getting the advice of a professional in the area. His organization, descriptions, and methods of combatting and preventing addiction are just unsurpassed. The book is written in a straight forward manner with language that non-professionals can easily understand. You feel as if you were seated in Dr. Fleming's office, talking with him one on one. The book is just a superior resource. Sincerely, Dr. Lee Walker

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Read Book for All Parents, January 3, 2007

By 

Lynda M. Barefield (Waxahachie, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Preventing Addiction (Paperback)

Dr. Fleming has written a "must read" book for all parents! He gives specific suggestions on how to raise your child from birth through the difficult teen years so that they will not fall into the trap of using addictive substances, from tobacco to alcohol to drugs of all kinds. Well written with substance. Emphasis is given to raising children in a Christian home with lots of love and trust while at the same time, with teenagers in particular, to "trust but verify".