ADDICTION MEDICINE: Neurobiology, Clinical Assessment, and Contemporary Treatment

ADDICTION MEDICINE Neurobiology, Clinical Assessment, and Contemporary Treatment Addiction Medicine offers a clinically focused and accessible exploration of substance-use disorders, connecting the science of addiction with practical approaches to assessment, treatment, and recovery. The book begins with the historical and evolutionary foundations of substance use before examining the neurobiological processes that contribute to addiction. It explores reward and reinforcement, synaptic plasticity, dopamine and other neurotransmitter systems, prefrontal regulation, craving, habit formation, and the progressive changes that may contribute to impaired behavioral control. Moving from mechanisms to clinical care, the book addresses important challenges involving cocaine, opioids, alcohol, adolescent and polysubstance use, co-occurring psychiatric conditions, and substance-related medical complications. It also examines the role of neuroimaging and experimental models in advancing understanding of addiction and translating scientific discoveries into clinical practice. The treatment sections provide a contemporary overview of pharmacological and behavioral approaches, including medication development, psychosocial interventions, relapse prevention, harm-reduction principles, and individualized care. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding addiction within a biopsychosocial framework, recognizing the influence of biological vulnerability, psychological factors, developmental experiences, social environment, and exposure to addictive substances. Inside This Book, Readers Will Explore: - The neurobiology and evolution of addictive behavior - Clinical assessment and the spectrum of substance-use disorders - Reward, reinforcement, craving, learning, and compulsive behavior - Dopaminergic, glutamatergic, and other neurochemical pathways - Cocaine, opioid, alcohol, and polysubstance-related disorders - Adolescent substance use and developmental vulnerability - Psychiatric and medical comorbidities - Neuroimaging and contemporary addiction research - Pharmacological and behavioral treatment strategies - Relapse prevention, harm reduction, and recovery-oriented care >Written for clinicians, healthcare professionals, students, researchers, and readers seeking a stronger understanding of addiction science, Addiction Medicine bridges foundational neurobiology with contemporary clinical practice. Rather than presenting addiction as a matter of willpower or moral failure, this book examines it as a complex and treatable health condition-providing a modern framework for understanding why addiction develops, how it affects the brain and behavior, and how evidence-informed care can support safer, more effective recovery. William A. Trujillo, MD Addiction Medicine Specialist