Alcohol and the Addictive Brain

A new understanding of the nature and progression of alcohol addiction is emerging: alcoholism as the result of an imbalance in the brain's natural production of neurotransmitters critical to our sense of well-being. This imbalance, which an increasing amount of evidence is demonstrating to be genetically influenced, produces a craving temporarily satisfied by drinking. "Alcohol and the Addictive Brain" is an account of the recent scientific discoveries concerning alcoholism.

Customer Reviews:

At last a methodologically rigorous study of alcoholism

By John Cavanagh - April 13, 2000

I first acquired this book shortly after it was published in 1991, and I have now been continuously sober for over eleven years. The hypothesis that alcoholism is an empirically identifiable neurochemical imbalance in the brain is still met with strong resistance by drunks, moralists and many therapists. Unfortunately for these sometimes vocal critics, Blum and Payne present compelling laboratory evidence that it is as much a neurological disorder as Parkinson's or epilepsy.

Excellent Explanation of Alcoholism Neurochemistry and Genetics, Reward Deficiency Syndrome, Alcohol Metabolism , Craving

By Steven Sponaugle - September 30, 2006

Alcohol and the Addictive Brain is possibly the best published explanation of genetic and neurochemical causes of alcohol dependence, withdrawal and craving. This book is surprisingly readable, considering the complexity of the research it explains.

This book explains how genetically susceptible individuals, differ neurochemically from nonalcoholics, and how alcohol alters dopamine, GABA, serotonin, norepinephrine and opiate neurotransmitter and neurotransmitter receptor levels. Inherited differences in P300 brainwaves are thoroughly explained. The history of alcohol neurotransmitter research is reported, objectively, with fair consideration given to opposing views.

Enkephalinase inhibition treatments, which Blum has refined, are an especially promising possibility for reducing alcohol craving and dependence. The explanation of transformation of alcohol to acetaldehyde, and subsequently to beta carboline, tetrahydroisoquinolines, morphine, codeine and other... read more

Helpful

By Patricia J. Young - January 9, 2013

I feel for something involving the topic of addiction, a book needs to jump right out and offer help and very helpful information right from the beginning. I had to read in quite a bit before I felt like there is information I needed.