ADDICTION AND ITS WIDE-RANGING EFFECTS

Books Explore The Nature Of Addiction, Options For Living With The Disease

Addiction is a disease that causes pain and suffering not only to
those who are addicted and those who love them but also to society at
large. It is estimated that between four and 15 people are adversely
affected by a single addict. Multiply that number by the estimated
22.2 million addicts in the United States, and it's easy to see how
addiction is truly a national health issue.

The science of addiction is in its infancy, but new developments in
brain imaging prove that substance abuse causes significant changes
in brain physiology. This research is leading to the development of
new and better treatments. Whether the problem substance is alcohol,
prescription or illicit drugs, addiction is now understood to be a
chronic, relapsing but treatable brain disease.

For the one in four American families facing addiction, a new book,
"Addiction: why can't they just stop?" (Rodale Books, 2007) provides
invaluable insight. The book is based on the acclaimed HBO
documentary series, "Addiction." In fact, the book's editors are John
Hoffman and Susan Froemke, the series' producers. The subtitle sums
up the book's message: "New knowledge, new treatments, new hope."

The book debunks common myths and misconceptions to help readers
understand current scientific knowledge of the disease. Readers learn
how and why people become addicted, including discussion of genetic
risk factors and behavior. There is information about the various
types of treatment available and ways to choose the most appropriate
treatment based on an individual's needs.

A section on adolescent substance abuse is especially good. An
astounding 9 percent of addicts began using substances under the age
of 18. The economics of addiction is covered in depth, helping people
overcome some barriers to obtaining effective treatment.

Another book, "Women Under the Influence" (Johns Hopkins University
Press, 2006), focuses on the effects of substance abuse on women.
This book is full of thought-provoking and important information.

Women are at increased risk for addiction problems. They become
addicted more quickly, using fewer substances. Women develop
abuse-related diseases such as lung cancer more quickly and suffer
more brain damage from both alcohol and drugs than do men. These are
just some the important research findings reported by the National
Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University (CASA)
in the book.

This book is the result of more than 10 years of research on female
substance abuse in the United States. This is not so much a self-help
book; it is a report of the growing problem of addiction in American
women and ways the disease is and is not being treated. An evaluation
of the efficacy of treatment methods and recommendations for
prevention and policy changes are important conclusions in this report.

Alcohol is the most-abused drug in the United States. An excellent
primer on the subject of alcohol is the book, "100 Questions and
Answers About Alcoholism" by Charles Herrick, M.D., and Charlotte
Herrick, Ph.D., R.N. (Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2007). Like all
of the books in the excellent "100 Questions and Answers" series,
this book delves into the subject of alcoholism in a way that is
informative but easy to understand. It starts with the basics,
explaining just what alcohol is, and moves through identifying the
problem, risk factors for alcohol abuse, and treatment options. There
is an excellent section on the medical consequences of alcoholism,
including dementia and fetal alcohol syndrome. The book closes with a
chapter called, "Surviving Alcoholism," that discusses ways to live
well as an alcoholic, including the ability to drink again, privacy
rights and other potential legal issues.

There are many more resources at the Stanford Health Library that
discuss substance abuse and addiction recovery. Research assistance
and information packets are available free of charge from the
library. Branches are located at the Stanford Shopping Center near
Bloomingdale's; on the third floor of Stanford Hospital; and on the
main level of Stanford's Cancer Center. Contact the Health Library at
650-725-8400, healthlibrary@stanfordmed.org and healthlibrary.stanford.edu.