Customer Reviews

The Selfish Brain: Learning from Addiction

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I have found this to be an excellent resource for every aspect of addiction. Dr. Robert Dupont is emminently qualified to author this text. He does an excellent job of personalizing his writing with examples from his practice. He offers a message of hope for addicts and their families. It is a tome, but a very readable one, and he even includes (in the introduction) a way to "speed read" it in 2.5 hours. I read it twice in a weekend and am about to order my third copy! (I just seem to find people to give them to).

Dr. Dupont is the former head of the National Institute of Drug Abuse (part of the National Institutes of Health). He presents the science of addiction and recovery in a way that anyone can understand. This book was recommended to me by a former private patient of Dr. Dupont's, who had nothing but good things to say about him. I thought the book was excellent, and it really explains what works and why.

I love the way this book is written, it keeps the reader interested and hungry for more information. This book is written for a lay person to be able to understand the disease of addiction and how it affects the addict, the family and society as a whole. I am a drug and alcohol counselor, and this is probably the best book I have ever read on addiction. I would recommend it to anyone interested in the study of addiction as well as anyone who is personally struggling with addiction in thier family or friends.

This is the most comprehensive book I have read about (alcohol and other drugs) addiction. The author, Robert DuPont, has clearly had an enormous amount of experience in this area. He is able to go into depth on the topic and shares some very valuable insights. I would recommend this book to anyone in the counseling field, to addicts, and to family and friends of addicts. Previous to reading the book, I had questions about just how much genetics plays a part relative to the individual's upbringing and personality. Dr. DuPont is able to discuss these and other factors that lead to addiction in a clear, understandable manner.

DuPont is clearly a fan of 12 step programs. In fact, he believes continued participation in AA or NA is crucial for most addicts. After reading this book I became much more convinced as to why they are so helpful.

THere is nothing superficial about DuPont or the words he has written on this topic. One gets the feeling that he has dedicated his life to helping solve the alcohol and other drugs addiction crisis. He also includes an in depth discussion of decriminalization and legalization issues.

This Book provides me with the basic essentials to resurrect "THE DEAD ". Thanks for the recommendation .

The most opinionated non-scientific treatise against pleasure I have ever read. How's this for a subjective statement: "Marijuana makes you stupid and lazy." Gee, don't overwhelm us with big words and psych terms.

He considers twelve step programs a boon to mankind. What a marching moron. They may help some, but they do not get to the root of the problem. "Addiction is one of the greatest human problems of mankind." It might be testosterone, if it makes this arrogant weasel thinks he has something to say.

There is absolutely nothing new to be found in this book. If this guy is a foot soldier in the war on drugs, get me a wheel chair.

The first red flag - "About the author" at the top of this page. Beware of the authors advertised by the major media outlets.

Among other nonsense, this book promotes a failed AA 12-step approach and other myths such as marijuana being a gateway drug. Do yourself a favor and do some serious research instead of wasting your time here. Pathetic and laughable.