The Encyclopedia of Addiction covers all type of addictions, from substance abuses, eating disorders, and addictive behaviors such as gambling, pornography, and shopping.
This two volume set contains frank and factual information about symptoms, causes, effects, prevention, and treatment of substance abuse—alcohol, nicotine, and drugs—and of behavioral addictions such as eating disorders, pathological gambling, and compulsive sexual activity. Including the most up-to-date research, the addiction entries are based largely on criteria established by the American Psychiatric Association in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.Tracing the history of the debate over whether addiction is a choice or a disease, the volumes explain how genetic and biological findings support the disease concept while lifestyle choices affect the course of the disease. Graphics and discussions of the brain structures that support this self-reinforcing mechanism illustrate why treatments that obstruct the pathway are showing such promise.
Features
The volumes offer an historical perspective including biographical information on pioneers in addictions research and treatment. Some material is presented in fact boxes and other graphically pleasing formats to appeal to teens and adults alike. This single-source reference includes lists of support groups, organizations devoted to addictions research and treatment, and suggestions for obtaining further information.
Reviews
"Joining the plethora of print and online resources about addiction is this work by science writer Hollen that boasts approximately 200 entries discussing symptoms, causes, prevalence, prevention, and treatment as well as associated terms. References for further reading complement most entries. Appendixes weigh in at close to 160 pages and cover the Controlled Substance Act, kinds of drugs, federal and state marijuana laws and penalties, statistics, abbreviations and acronyms, examples of research-based drug-abuse prevention programs, and, finally, resources for further information.Purchase of Encyclopedia of Addictions is recommended for public, academic, and health-science libraries needing another resource on the topic. . ."—Booklist
"This new encyclopedia's simple language will engage laypeople, whereas the factual and statistical information should appeal to serious researchers, making this encyclopedia a valuable resource all around. . . . Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and above; general readers."—Choice
"The 200 entries in this set by science writer Hollen (The Reproductive System) 'discuss symptoms, causes, prevalence, prevention, and treatment as well as associated terms such as compulsion, tolerance, denial, and withdrawal,' and 200 more terms appear as cross-references. . . . The text is free of jargon and accessible to general adult readers. . . this work can be recommended for public and academic libraries."—Library Journal
"Aimed at general readers, this two-volume encyclopedia features entries on symptoms, terms, concepts, individuals, and disorders related to addiction. The entries cover types of abused and addictive drugs; societal aspects such as the war on drugs and prohibition; biological and chemical mechanisms; addictive behaviors; contributory causes and diagnoses including mental disorders; effects of drug use; famous addicts; regulation; and treatment. State and federal laws are included in appendices, as are a separate drug index, statistics, and a selected list of prevention programs. An index is provided in the second volume only. Much of the information was drawn from federal agencies. Hollen is a science writer who has worked with the National Institutes of Health and other organizations."—SciTech Book News
