Pubdate: Wed, 09 May 2007 Source: Palo Alto Weekly (CA) Copyright: 2007 Embarcadero Publishing Company. Contact: http://www.paloaltoonline.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/334 Note: Authored by The Health Library Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/women.htm (Women) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) 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, and healthlibrary.stanford.edu. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman