The Anatomy of Addiction: What Science and Research Tell Us About the True Causes, Best Preventive Techniques, and Most Successful Treatments

by Akikur Mohammad MD

A groundbreaking, science-based approach to addiction that addresses it as the chronic brain disease it is and offersa proven lifelong treatment plan.

In The Anatomy of Addiction , readers will discover information and advice
- normal vs. problem drinking
-  new medications that are now available
- medical and psychiatric complications of different addictions
- the importance of treaing a dual diagnosis (such as addiction and borderline personality disorder or depression) 
- maintenance therapy
- when and how to seek treatment, and the roles family members should play
- effective strategies for treating the teenage addict
- inpatient and outpatient treament services

Using proven research and methods, top addiction professional Akikur Mohammad, MD, addresses how to understand and treat multiple types of addiction, from heroin and opiates to alcohol and prescription pills.

As engaging as it is informative, The Anatomy of Addiction  is a crucial, science-based action plan to help addicts--and their families, friends, and caregivers--conquer addiction once and for all.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Medical

272 pages, Hardcover

First published February 2, 2016

Reviews

[Juliet Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up. While I was fascinated by the depth of statistics and research in this book, I felt it veered away from the reality that most addicts don't have access to the level of medical care required by the suggested treatment. The author is pretty anti AA and many of his reasons are valid, however, many addicts turn to AA because it is free, accessible, and support based. I agree the science doesn't match AAs philosophy but also understand it is a viable option for those with no options. I did like the addressing of the sketch rehab centers that have sprung up all over with no regulation.

[Jesse · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn’t help but feel, with the aggression and excessive firmness Mohammad uses to make some of his points, some of which are far more debatable than he admits, that he was pushing an agenda of some sort. This did not read as the work of an objective scientist or doctor.

And then I did some brief research on this clown. But first, a quote from the book to set the context:

“...an entrenched rehab industry has grown scandalously rich by bilking someone of the most vulnerable in our society”

Turns out Mohammad was recently sentenced to 15 months in prison for “...his role in a conspiracy to broker patients as part of a multi-state patient scheme in which recruiters were directed to bribe drug-addicted individuals to enroll in drug rehabilitation.” https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/ca...

So…the guy who is is so worried that others might get rich by bilking the most vulnerable in our society for their rehab schemes was just convicted of trying to get rich by bilking the most vulnerable in our society via a rehab scheme.

What a fraud. What a hypocrite. What an absolute joke. I was glad I got this for free and did not contribute a penny of my own money toward reading this. Don’t waste your time on this one.

[Dani Franov · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m currently an MSW student who is focusing on addiction counseling. Therefore, I’m trying to educate myself to the best of my abilities.

The main reason I gave this book 3 stars is because it is really pushing a pharmaceutical agenda. While I am not against suboxone or methadone in the slightest, it isn’t for everyone and I truly believe in other approaches.

The main takeaways I got from this that I enjoyed from also learning in school is that it is a chronic disease and that needs to be pushed and understood. I appreciated learning about various medications used to treat addictions. I also enjoyed the references to documentaries.

The one major inaccuracy in this book is how he stated that it is crucial for a pregnant woman to detox between weeks 14-32 (pg 204), this is extremely dangerous and is never recommended! I was surprised to read this by someone who is so knowledgeable about addiction and is an MD.

Overall, I gained a lot of knowledge by reading this book. I also realized how important it is to read various books and gain knowledge from various platforms as everyone will have something conflicting to say. I would suggest to all addiction counselors to read this.

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a call to use recent scientific advances and medical tools to treat addiction. It doesn't discount the helpful aspects of AA, but it does criticize using AA-style programs only.
If you like to drink a lot of alcohol and pretend it won't hurt you, you won't like part of this book (especially if you're a female of childbearing age), but truth isn't always fun to hear. We don't pay doctors to entertain us.
I was disappointed to see no mention of nonmedicinal food-provided substances that might help lessen withdrawal anxiety, such as ellagic acid (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2...) and apigenin (http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10...). A "good" diet in connection with rehab will naturally include more of both of those already, but it's helpful to have more motivation to eat the raspberries and celery instead of the donuts. :)

[Richard Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read!

This book is a must read if you suffer from a Substance Use Disorder, have a loved one that suffers, if you work in healthcare, if you work in the criminal justice system, if you are an educator, if you are an elected or appointed official in any level of the government, and the general public! As a healthcare profession as well as a person that has a Substance use Disorder, the concepts that are discussed, need for better education regarding Substance Use Disorders, need for evidence based treatment, and eliminating the stigma associated with Substance Use Disorders are essential for successful treatment.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for any healthcare professional and individual effected by addiction of any kind.

90 % of Rehab facilities have no medically trained staff and do not incorporate evidence based treatment in their program. This book will help to identify effective therapy and dispels the myths and stigmatizations.

[Michael Boerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poorly written with high emotions; nonetheless a necessary message. I appreciate his insistency on defining addiction as a chronic illness akin to diabetes or Alzheimers and his de-stigmatization of the medical issue.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

So informative! Children should be informed of all the effects of using substances; even in a small amount.

[Ava Ewing · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5. This guy needs a better editor.

[Al · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dr. Mohammad provides a searing indictment of addiction treatment programs in America and follow up support groups in AA/NA in "The Anatomy of Addiction." While he rightly points to the high relapse rates from such programs as proof that reliance on abstinence alone is a mistaken approach, his call for treatment based on evidence based therapies and drugs fall short. There appear to be few drugs he can point to that are effective in long-term treatment of alcoholics and drug addicts that are effective. According to Dr. Mohammed, only about 500 doctors in the US are certified to administer even those drugs. While there are valuable insights, the writing tends to be repetitive and depressing rather than hopeful. It is written for the lay-person, not medical professionals. Worth reading if you have a loved one going through successive treatment programs without success.

[Jeanne Manly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the most comprehensive book I have read about addiction. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning more factual information about addiction. The main issue I see here in America is that many addicted individuals have lost everything including their insurance. The alternative insurance Obama Care or Medicaid insurance does not cover evidence based treatment facilities with medical doctors or psychiatrists on staff. It is not a surprise to see so many homeless individuals or homeless shelters that are overflowing in every major city today!

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love when people working in California presume to describe addiction treatment modalities that take place in the rest of the country. There is plenty to recommend this for families who want to get help for loved ones battling a substance use disorder. He is a fan of suboxone for opioid disorders. Suboxone can be very beneficial but it has its drawbacks as it is still an opiate.

[Michael Maloney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well laid out review in how we treat addiction and looking at best practices that are evidence-based. Also looks at how we treat addiction currently and why it doesn't seems to work.

[Leslie Jonsson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent work on addiction, its relation to genetics, and different approaches to recovery from an addiction.