Goldstein, Avram : Stanford University

Avram Goldstein, M.D. is Emeritus Professor of Pharmacology, Stanford University. He is the author of Principles of Drug Action, is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and is the recipient of many awards including the Franklin Medal, the Nathan B. Eddy Award, and the Sollman Award.

"A refreshingly straightforward and scientifically rigorous consideration of a wide range of information."

--Eric J. Nestler, M.D., Cell

"Goldstein directs this readable small volume toward 'intelligent non-experts.'.... [He] goes to great lengths to show how each class of drugs produces its own form of addiction and why humans will go to such great effort to take them."

--Floyd Bloom, M.D., Issues in Science and Technology

"It is written in a lively manner, is admirably logical and systematic, and is peppered with interesting quotations and clinical vignettes.... Deserves to be widely read."

--Steven E. Hyman, M.D.

"This book is for everyone. Clinicians, experimental psychologists, and the ubiquitous intelligent layperson will all enjoy and learn from this book."

--Contemporary Psychology

"An essential tool to understand the biology of addiction as well as the history, politics, and sociology of the issue. Dr. Goldstein brings to the policy debate a powerful scientific perspective based on decades of research backed by common sense."

--General Barry R. McCaffrey, USA (Ret.), former Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy

"Goldstein directs this readable small volume toward 'intelligent non-experts.'.... [He] goes to great lengths to show how each class of drugs produces its own form of addiction and why humans will go to such great effort to take them."

--Floyd Bloom, M.D., Issues in Science and Technology

"This book is for everyone. Clinicians, experimental psychologists, and the ubiquitous intelligent layperson will all enjoy and learn from this book."

--Contemporary Psychology

"It is written in a lively manner, is admirably logical and systematic, and is peppered with interesting quotations and clinical vignettes.... Deserves to be widely read."

--Steven E. Hyman, M.D.

Submitted by Oxford University Press Web Site, September, 2001

Drug addiction as a brain disease is this book's theme. Among the many volumes on drugs written for lay readers, it is unique in the breadth and depth of its coverage. In clear scientific terms-- with may striking examples from the author's experience as a scientist and clinician --it describes the nature of chemical addiction and addictive behavior, the seven families of addictive drugs, and the muddied effort to develop effective drug control policies and laws.