"Addiction destroys lives. In The Addicted Brain, a leading neuroscientist explains how and why this happens--and presents advances in treatment and prevention. Using breathtaking brain imagery and other research, Michael Kuhar, Ph. D., shows the powerful, long-term brain changes that drugs can cause, revealing why it can be so difficult for addicts to escape their grip."--P. [4] of jacket.

What's in this book, and why should I read it? -- Hardwired: what animals tell us about the human desire for drugs -- Feeling good: the brain's own reward system -- The ABCs of drug action in the brain -- The dark side develops! -- Why are drugs so powerful? -- The brain is changed, for a long time! -- Could I become an addict? -- Stress, social status, and drugs -- Gambling, sex, and food -- What else do drugs do to me? -- Women and adolescents -- Treatment: how do I get better? -- What does the future hold?