Can certain foods hijack the brain in ways similar to drugs and alcohol, and is this effect sufficiently strong to contribute to major diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, and hence constitute a public health menace? Terms like "chocoholic" and "food addict" are part of popular lore, some popular diet books discuss the concept of addiction, and there are food addiction programs with names like Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous. Clinicians who work with patients often hear the language of addiction when individuals speak of irresistible cravings, withdrawal symptoms when...

Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug in Amer- ica. Some 40% of the adult population has tried mari- juana at least once. It is the third largest agricultural commodity in the nation and a $10 billion industry. In many areas of the country, marijuana production or sale is the largest moneymaker by far. In Florida, for ex- ample, it ranks ahead of every business except tourism. It is also a widely misunderstood substance. An en- tire generation of Americans grew up believing that marijuana was virtually risk-free. This belief persists, despite growing evidence of physical,...

This book is written for a truly general medical audience. Clinicians, researchers, residents, and students will find Al- cohol a direct treatment of the major drug problem in Amer- ica. Along with the first volume in this series on marijuana, Alcohol is timely and relevant. The subject is presented with clarity in an effort to provide professionals and interested readers with a basic background in the field of alcohol studies. The emphasis is on what is known and can be coun- ted on as fundamental knowledge on the various aspects of history, epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention...