David J. Nutt

Substance addiction is a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by a compulsion to take a substance despite potential consequences. Addiction, second edition offers a clear and succinct overview of the brain science underpinning substance addiction. Focusing on the nature of addiction as a brain disorder, this resource discusses a range of different behavioural traits such as impulsivity and reward dependence, and looks at the critical role of kinetic and pharmacological factors. All chapters have been fully updated to provide readers with a quick-reference guide to the latest research on pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for addition, and feature helpful key points and further reading sources. In addition, two new chapters on nicotine addiction and appetite hormones have been added to ensure the reader is kept abreast of the most recent discussions in the field of research.

Part of the Oxford Psychiatry Library series, this pocketbook is a clear and comprehensive overview of the brain science underpinning addiction and how this helps explain the current and future therapeutics for the range of addictions, using full colour images to enhance understanding. Substance Abuse focuses on the nature of addiction as a brain disorder that includes a range of different behavioural traits such as impulsivity and reward dependence, and discusses the critical role of kinetic and pharmacological factors. The text explains how the primary pharmacological targets of drugs of abuse are now understood, the relation to the variable nature of addiction to different substances, and how this may lead to new approaches to treatment.

Drugs and the Future presents 13 reviews collected to present the new advances in all areas of addiction research, including knowledge gained from mapping the human genome, the improved understanding of brain pathways and functions that are stimulated by addictive drugs, experimental and clinical psychology approaches to addiction and treatment, as well as both ethical considerations and social policy. The book also includes chapters on the history of addictive substances and some personal narratives of addiction. Introduced by Sir David King, Science Advisory to the UK Government and head of the Office of Science and Technology, and Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse in the USA, the book uniquely covers the full range of disciplines which can provide insight into the future of addiction, from genetics to the humanities. Written for a scientific audience, it is also applicable to non-specialists as well.