The Selfish Brain: Learning from Addiction

1044 Pages·2000·2.46 MB·English

by  Robert L. Dupont

The Selfish Brain : Learning From
title:
Addiction
author: DuPont, Robert L.
publisher: Hazelden Publishing
isbn10 | asin: 1568383630
print isbn13: 9781568383637
ebook isbn13: 9780585324784
language: English
Substance abuse, Substance abuse--
subject Treatment, Recovering addicts, Twelve-step
groups.
publication date: 2000
lcc: RC564.29.D87 2000eb
ddc: 362.29
Substance abuse, Substance abuse--
subject: Treatment, Recovering addicts, Twelve-step
groups.
Page i
The Selfish Brain
Page ii
"In his new book, The Selfish Brain: Learning from Addiction, Dr.
DuPont has linked, for the first time, the rapidly expanding scientific
knowledge about addiction and his own intensely personal
experiences over more than a quarter of a century of working with
addicted people and their families. He extends his useful ideas to the
areas of public policy and to the global dimensions of this uniquely
human disease. . . .
"This is not a pretty or an easy story, but it is one filled with hope for
the future for those individuals, families, communities, and countries
ready to confront the real and serious problems of addiction and to
find their own unique ways to prevent and overcome these problems.
Our country is fortunate to have a man of Dr. DuPont's stature and
ability who has dedicated himself to the important cause of the
prevention and treatment of addiction."
Ross Perot
"Dr. DuPont, in this rational and readable book, highlights some of the
keys to overcoming chemical dependence for individuals, and for
winning the battle against drugs as a nation: honesty, responsibility,
hard work, and accountability. As he writes, 'Because an addiction
requires dishonesty, honesty is the one-word antidote to all forms of
addiction.' I applaud his efforts and this book."
William J. Bennett, Co-director, Empower America Former Director,
Office of National Drug Control Policy
"For anyone interested in the shadowy and violent world of illicit
drugs and the effects on our children, our homes, our businesses, and
our society, Dr. DuPont's book is a must."
B/Gen Robinson Risner, USAF (Ret) Organizer and First Director,
Texans' War on Drugs
"This is the first book that I've readand I read every one I get my
hands onthat deals with the whole problem of addiction from a
historical, crosscultural, and scientific point of view. It's the first time
that the myths of drug use are attacked openly and clearly. . . .
"This book can be used as a tremendous resource for students. Dr.
DuPont takes the time to provide all the evidence to support his thesis;
furthermore, he analyzes that evidence to make it understandable to
the reader."
Michael K. Mulligan, Headmaster Thacher School, Ojai, California
Page iii
"The Selfish Brain gives the most comprehensive treatment of
chemical dependency I have seen in the last ten years. It is an essential
book for any professional. . . . Dr. DuPont provides us with an
interesting narrative of this controversial subject and a thought-
provoking, well-researched, detailed, systematic analysis."
Dan Buie, CAE, President Texans' War on Drugs
"I found Dr. DuPont's new book intriguing and challenging. As in his
previous writings, he successfully draws the reader in. I highly
recommend The Selfish Brain."
John T Schwarzlose, President Betty Ford Center at Eisenhower
"The Selfish Brain is the masterpiece of one of our nation's leaders in
addiction medicine. Bob DuPont makes it crystal clear why he is
considered to be a masterful psychiatrist, a level-headed national drug
policy analyst, and a dedicated foot soldier in the war on drugs. Dr.
DuPont can describe the turmoil of the addict, the forces in society,
the moral and ethical abyss, the steps in recovery, and the
neurobiology of drug seeking in the same sentence with a unique and
compelling clarity of style. Rather than a simple follow-up to the
groundbreaking Gateway Drugs, Dr. DuPont has put together the
definitive text that nimbly takes us from the neuron to Twelve Step
recovery meetings and back again. . . .
"This important book on the process and treatment of addiction is an
absolute must read for the student or the clinician but also for those
with loved ones who are using drugs. . . . From an expert with years of
experience from the lab to the White House and to the psychiatrist's
officeeveryone will find something remarkable, some great insight in
accessible terms in The Selfish Brain."
Mark S. Gold, M.D., noted antidrug expert Founder, National Cocaine
Hotline Author, The Facts About Drugs and Alcohol
"The Selfish Brain clearly articulates issues that I have known and felt
but never put into words. What a service for today's parents! This
book explains addiction in a clear, easy-to-read manner, consistently
supporting the basic role of the family."
Jean B. Newberry, Board of Directors National Federation of Parents
Page iv
"This book will be of enduring help to professionals as well as to
recovering people. It will further the debate on how society can
seriously address the issue of addiction. The book is particularly adept
at calling out the fact that we have notto dateaccepted addiction as a
problem and therefore are not fully embracing any possible solutions.
This book makes that failure clear and offers suggestions to turn it
into an opportunity of great value."
-John Small, Vice President/Publishing Parkside Publishing
Corporation
"DuPont's writing conveys 'I know a lot about this, and have given it a
lot of thought. Here are some ideas I would like you to think about,
too.' Reading The Selfish Brain is like listening to him in personal
conversations about problems that touch us all.
"DuPont's authority is second to none, and his conversational writing
style makes even the technical parts of The Selfish Brain accessible to
any interested reader. The presentation of the factors contributing to
'drug problems' is the best I have read, and the proposal of steps
society must take to solve those problems is compelling."
Harry A. Tiemann, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology Chair, Department
of Behavioral Sciences Mesa State College, Grand Junction, Colorado
"Bob DuPont's book, The Selfish Brain, is a welcome, innovative, and
comprehensive examination of chemical dependency and the
problems of drug addiction. The unique nature of this dependency,
and the reality of the physiological and psychological cross currents
that have caused so much pain and grief for American families, is
effectively demonstrated. . . .
"The book is a winner; refreshing, interesting, instructive, and is a
must for anyone seriously interested in the field of substance abuse."
Peter B. Bensinger, Former Administrator U.S. Drug Enforcement
Administration
"Dr. DuPont's book, The Selfish Brain, is a thoughtful, thorough, and
inspiring book. Having associated with Dr. DuPont for over fifteen
years, I have witnessed his expertise and dedication to the issue of
addiction. As Dr. DuPont eloquently states, 'Addiction is a modern
chemical slavery.'"
Eric A. Voth, M.D., F.A.C.P., Chairman International Drug Strategy
Institute
Page v
"This book is exhaustive and unique as a brilliant blend of science and
clinical artistry. I am confident no other work of its kind exists or will
in the foreseeable future. It offers glossaries, illustrations, and case
histories that form the building blocks of an exciting and worthwhile
literary experience. The author's practical appeal is to help all who
either have, are affected by, or treat an addictive illness."
Norman S. Miller, M.D., Department of Psychiatry The University of
Illinois at Chicago
"This book is a real contribution to the field. Dr. DuPont takes a bold,
sometimes controversial, and consistently comprehensive approach in
explaining addictions. In reading this book, one is challenged to take
action in small and big ways. He offers ideas and suggestions, from
individual commitment to societal action, to change the way we view
alcohol and other drug use in society. This is a magnificent
combination, rarely seen, of scholarly detail and personal
compassion."
Patricia Owen, Ph.D., M.H.A. Hazelden, Center City, Minnesota
"This book represents another work by Dr. DuPont on the 'cutting
edge' of recovery for addicts and alcoholics. We who are recovering
addicts/alcoholics in Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics
Anonymous applaud this work. This is a must read for anyone who
seeks to understand the very nature of the addict. The Twelve Step
fellowships have an author who is 'on target' concerning addiction and
alcoholism."
Stephen W. Ringer, M.S.W, C.A.P.
"The Selfish Brain is one of the best books I've ever read about drugs.