Healing Addiction

Peter R. Martin, MD, is Professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacology at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and Director of the Division of Addiction Medicineat Vanderbilt. Bennett Alan Weinberg, Esq, is a medical and science writer, pharmaceutical educator, and attorney. He is the author, with Bonnie Bealer, of The Caffeine Advantage.Bonnie K. Bealer is a researcher, writer, and editor.

"This book is approachable, easy to read, and informative. Finally, the book has a very hopeful message: although addictions are chronic medical problems, there are effective treatments that can help patients." (PsycCRITIQUES, October 24, 2007)

• Foreword. Preface by Peter R. Martin, M.D.Preface by Bennett Alan Weinberg, Esq., and Bonnie K. Bealer.Acknowledgments.Part I Out of Control: The Biopsychosocial Model of the Causes of Addiction.1 The Many Faces of Addiction.Who Is the Addict?Symptoms of Addiction.Stages of Addiction.Primary and Secondary Addiction.2 The Historical Development of Drug Addiction.Changing Attitudes about Psychoactive Substances.Epidemiology: The Prevalence of Drug Use.3 Addiction as a Disease.The Drive to Use Drugs.Drugs and the Chemical Systems of the Brain.Neuroadaptation.Complications of Drug Abuse.4 Biopsychosocial Factors in Addiction.Biological Factors: Brain Chemistry.Psychological Factors.Social Factors.Biopsychosocial Factors and the Typical Course of Addiction.Part II The Integrated Approach: Pharmacopsychosocial Treatment of Addiction as a Bona Fide Mental Illness.5 The Players: Psychiatrists and Other Physicians, Therapists, Social Workers, Clergy, Family and Friends, and Support Groups.Addiction and Co-Occurring Psychiatric Conditions.Importance of Pharmaceuticals in Treatment.Advice to Caregivers: “Above All, Do No Harm!”.6 Identification and Diagnosis: Why Is It Difficult to Recognize Addiction?7 Initiating Treatment.What Can the Family Do, and Why Is the Family Invaluable in Recovery?How Should Treatment Continue after Detoxification or Stabilization?Healing: When Treatment Requires Professional Supervision.8 Treatment Programs.Inpatient or Outpatient Treatment: Which Is More Effective or Gives the Better Value for the Money?Who Really Decides What Treatment Is Best?Psychosocial Treatment Programs.Medical Model.Safety of Medications in the Treatment ofPrimary Addiction: Why Become Addicted toa Doctor-Prescribed Medicine?Part III Gaining Understanding: Treating Drug Addictions.9 Alcohol.The Case of Joe A..Pharmacology.Chemical Considerations.Absorption, Distribution, and Elimination.Drug Interactions.Medical Complications.Other Issues Related to Treating Alcoholism.Alcoholism as a Paradigm for Understanding Drug Addiction.10 Heroin and Other Morphine-Related Drugs.Intoxication.The Case of Bob R..Drug-Seeking Behavior: Sought-After Effects.Neuroadaptation.11 CNS Depressants: Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines, and  Other Hypnotics and Tranquilizers.Patterns of Use.The Case of Mike R..Drug-Seeking Behavior: Sought-After Effects.Neuroadaptation.12 Stimulants: Cocaine and Amphetamines.Pharmacology.Amphetamines, Including Methamphetamine.The Case of Roy T.Patterns of Use.Drug-Seeking Behavior: Sought-After Effects.Neuroadaptation.Medical and Other Complications.13 Marijuana and Tobacco.Gateway Drug?The Case of John T.Patterns of Use.Intoxication.Pharmacology.Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion.Endocannabinoid System.Medical Complications.Note on Tobacco.Part IV Gaining Understanding: Treating Behavioral Addictions.14 What Are Behavioral Addictions?The Case of Marilyn B.Sex Addiction: Problematic Hypersexuality.The Case of Alex T.15 Pathological Gambling.Epidemiology.The Case of John C.Gambling Addiction: Behavioral Characteristics.Neuroadaptation?16 Food.Hardwiring the Brain.Pleasure and Pain.Obesity.Anorexia Nervosa.Bulimia Nervosa.Summary and Comparison of the Eating Disorders.Epidemiology.Neuroadaptation: Tolerance, Dependence, and Withdrawal?Part V Recovery as an Ongoing Process: Control Is Never Complete.17 Criteria for Treatment Success.18 Entering a New Life.Denial and “Slips”.Continuing Relationship with the Physician or Therapist.Should Recovering Addicts Become Treatment Professionals?19 Managing Long-Term Treatment.Recovery Requires Maintaining Health.Honesty with the Primary Care Doctor Helps Both Patient and Doctor.The Primary Care Doctor: Partner in Recovery and Point Man of the Recovery Net.Beware of the Quickly Drawn Pen and the Ever-Ready Prescription Pad.Denial Is Incompatible with Recovery—Healing Requires Acceptance of Addiction(s).Responsible Recovery—The Blame Game Helps No One.Drugs Are Not Dangerous—People Who Take Drugs Can Make Them Dangerous.Mutual Trust, Respect, and Open Communication in the Physician–Patient Relationship.Recovery Is More than Abstinence.Pharmacopsychosocial Treatment Knits a Strong Recovery Safety Net.Peer Mutual Support Fellowship: A Safe Haven in the Storm of Addiction.Recovery Requires Self-Examination—with Help from Others Who Care about the Recovering Addict.Professional Guidance on the Journey from Active Addiction to Recovery.Psychotherapy with a Professional Is Highly Compatible with a 12-Step Program.How Does a Professional Help Recovering Addicts Understand Themselves Better and Enable Them to Heal Their Addiction?Addiction as a Way to Cope?Despondency During Recovery.Wanting to Do Things Differently.Setting Priorities in Order to Do Things Differently.How to Make Changes after Determining Priorities.Recovery Means Understanding the Role of Fundamental Emotions in Addiction, Such as Trust and Shame.Appendix A Glossary of Terms.Appendix B Helpful Web Sites.Appendix C Epidemiological Tables.Appendix D Pharmacological Treatment of Withdrawal Syndromes from Substances of Abuse.Appendix E Pharmacological Maintenance Strategies for Substance Dependence after Detoxification Is Completed.Bibliography.Index.About the Authors.