Chapter 1 Foreword Chapter 2 Why Self Medication? Chapter 3 Addiction: Disease or Disorder Chapter 4 The Self-Medication Hypothesis and Addiction as a Problem in Self-Regulation Chapter 5 Self-Medication Hypothesis Research Chapter 6 Contexts and Models for Understanding Addiction—A Brief Overview Chapter 7 Suffering and Self-Medication Chapter 8 Self-Medication, Psychiatric Disorders, and Emotional Pain Chapter 9 Trauma and the Self-Medication Hypothesis Chapter 10 Addiction and the Perpetuation of Suffering Chapter 11 Nicotine, Marijuana and the Self-Medication Hypothesis Chapter 12 Gambling and Other Behavioral Disorders Chapter 13 The Neurobiology of Addictions Chapter 14 How the Self-Medication Hypothesis Can Guide Treatment and Recovery Chapter 15 Conclusion Chapter 16 Afterword
Edward J. Khantzian, MD, is clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and associate chief of psychiatry at Tewksbury Hospital, Tewksbury, MA. Mark J. Albanese, MD, is director of Addictions Treatment Services at Cambridge Health Alliance and assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.
Doctors Khantzian and Albanese wrote this book directly from their
experience with patients, as well as their close involvement with
vast research. This blessedly brief and un-confusing volume, a tour
de force that is original, useful, and wise. These two doctors, who
have given their professional lives to understanding and helping
those who are affected by addictions, now give to the world a
consummate gift: what they know. Combining knowledge with love, the
authors have moved the dialogue on addictions to an entirely new
level.
*Edward Hallowell, MD, author of Driven to Distraction and many
other books; Founder of The Hallowell Centers; host of the weekly
podcast Distraction*
Understanding Addiction as Self Medication provides a clear
explanation of the reasons behind many addictions, emphasizing the
pain experienced by many addicted people. This is an important and
readable book that provides useful insights to professionals,
families, and friends, as well as individuals suffering with
addictions.
*Kathleen T. Brady, MD, PhD, General Clinical Research Center*
Recommended.
*CHOICE, April 2009*
Understanding Addiction as Self-Medication is a worthwhile addition
to the reading lists of counselors at all levels of
experience....Understanding Addiction as Self-Medication pulls
together a credible, non-judgmental theory of addiction.
*Professional Counselor, April 2009*
This book clearly explains the self-medication hypothesis, updates
and modernizes it, and provides very useful insights and tools for
clinicians, patients, and their families....What makes this a
special book is the skill, understanding, and attitudes of these
very gifted, experienced, and creative therapists.... The writing
is clear, enjoyable and a fast read. Moreover, the book is written
at a level that can be easily comprehended by sophisticated
patients, their families, and workers in allied fields.
*Richard Frances, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, New York
University, MD, clinical professor of Psychiatry, New York
University*
This book is an admirably clear exposition of how a universal human
need to manage distress and control emotions can take extreme forms
in addicted individuals, leading to perilous solutions and chemical
careers. Doctors Khantzian and Albanese creatively use the Self
Medication Hypothesis to explain multiple pathways into addiction
and describe various exist routes, signifying hope, help and
resolution.
*Martin Weegman, consultant clinical psychologist and group
analyst, Gatehouse Drug Service*
Understanding Addiction is an easy and often engaging read and will
primarily be useful for patients, families, and perhaps addiction
therapists . . . [The authors] emphasize both the importance of
other contributions to addictive disorders, such as genetic,
social, and family influences, and the need to utilize a wide range
of treatment approaches, including agonist therapies and other
medications . . . Perhaps the most important contribution of
Understanding Addiction is to remind us of the distinct experience,
personal history, and intense suffering of the addicted
patient.
*Am J Pyschiatry, November 2009*
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