Summary
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that publicly funded substance abuse treatment programs admitted nearly 1.7 million people in 2003. More than 20 percent of these admissions were for alcohol treatment, and of admissions related to illicit drug use, those involving marijuana and heroin were the most widespread. Clearly, there is a major problem with substance abuse in the United States, but often overlooked is the crisis connected to less common addictions. Shopping, gambling, plastic surgery, weight loss, and food are all objects of addictions experienced by thousands of Americans. From adolescents to senior citizens—millions of Americans are ruled by addictive behaviors that may destroy their lives as well as the lives of their families, friends, and even strangers.
The Encyclopedia of Addictions and Addictive Behaviors is an A-to-Z reference to addictive behaviors—their signs, symptoms, and causes, as well as how to recognize and treat them. More than 300 entries provide a comprehensive overview of individual addictions as well as overlapping issues, such as emotional problems, family dysfunction, and difficulties with employment. This invaluable resource also provides theoretical and practical information on how people who are addicted to various substances or behaviors can, with hard work and assistance from others, often recover and go on to lead normal, productive lives. The value of this informative guide is increased by extensive appendixes providing further resources and up-to-date information.
Topics covered include:
- Abstinence
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Binge drinking
- Cosmetic surgery addiction
- Credit card overspending
- Drug addiction
- Drug courts
- Exercise addiction
- Food addiction
- Gambling
- Internet addiction disorder
- Rehabilitation
- Sexual addiction
- Violence.
With appendixes listing important organizations, state substance abuse offices, state controlled substances scheduling authorities, and state mental health agencies and illustrative tables of important statistics, in addition to a detailed bibliography, this is a comprehensive source on addictions and addictive behaviors.
Specifications
Index. Appendixes. Bibliography. Cross-references.
About the Author(s)
Esther Gwinnell, M.D., is a psychiatrist and an associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Oregon Health and Sciences University in Portland, OR. Gwinnell has extensive experience treating both adults and adolescents who are struggling with a broad range of addictions and psychiatric problems, such as depression, anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder. She teaches psychopharmacology and psychotherapy and has lectured on a variety of psychiatric medications for pharmaceutical companies.
Christine Adamec has written more than 25 books on medical and self-help topics. She has worked with physicians to produce medical self-help books on topics such as fibromyalgia and prostate cancer. Her books for Facts On File include The Encyclopedia of Endocrine Diseases and Disorders; The Encyclopedia of the Digestive System and Digestive Disorders; and The Encyclopedia of Child Abuse, Third Edition. Adamec is a member of the American Medical Writers Association and the American Society of Journalists and Authors. She lives in Florida.