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The Addictive Brain

Written by: Thad A. Polk, The Great Courses
Narrated by: Thad A. Polk
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Publisher's Summary

Addiction is a problem that affects everyone - even if we haven't experienced addiction ourselves, we all know someone who has. Unfortunately many sources of information about addiction seem inaccessible or irrelevant because they present vague or false science, they present accurate science in an excessively complicated way, or they are more moralistic than informative.

Addiction is sometimes viewed as a failure of character or will or morality. But neuroscience offers a very different picture - one that can inform how we, as individuals and as a society, treat addicts and the problems caused by addiction. These 12 eye-opening lectures will show you that addiction is a scientifically understandable problem that has its origins in neurobiology and genetics.

The Addictive Brain is a fair and balanced investigation of addiction, backed by hard science and behavioral science. Most of us have probably seen the old antidrug commercial in which an actor compares your brain on drugs to an egg sizzling in a hot frying pan. That's a powerful image, but it doesn't tell us what actually happens when drugs enter your body and interact with neurochemical processes.

Professor Polk gives you a comprehensive but concise survey of addiction and the major drugs of abuse, highlighting the differing neurological effects of stimulants, opioids, and more. He also delves into the world of behavioral addictions, such as gambling and compulsive video gaming, which, neurologically, operate very similarly to drug addiction. This course will clearly and compassionately inform you on what addiction means scientifically, socially, and behaviorally.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2015 The Great Courses (P)2015 The Teaching Company, LLC

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limited outlook

Although he looked at several addictions and found things they all had in common, he did very poorly differentiating addictions effect on an individual or society. I believe some addictions are worse than others.

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  • jan
  • 2021-01-25

very informative

This is a great listen if you want to really understand how addiction works. The narrator was great and kept me interested the whole time. I definitely look at addiction in a different way now, and I think anyone who hasn't struggled with it personally should give it a listen also. Especially if you're in the field of mental health and addiction support. If you've Never experienced addiction it's hard to help others who are. This course will give the knowledge that every stereotypical, uneducated person needs if they're interested in understanding the brain of an addict.

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excellent book!

Great book for anyone who works with people with addictions or is affected by this with a loved one.

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Never disappointed! Fantastic course

This really was one of the best courses provided by the Great Courses. Thank you for sharing.

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Very informative book

Definitely learned a lot about addiction from this book. The pace was a little slow so I did speed it up but would recommend to anyone interested in learning about more the topic. Not just drug addiction but video game, porn, alcohol addiction is also covered in this book.

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