Includes bibliographical references and index.

The invisible epidemic that's killing us -- Addiction is preventable. Addiction is treatable -- The ten biggest myths of addiction -- The medical illness of addiction -- The medical consequences of addiction -- The process of effective treatment -- Painless detox -- Maintenance and relapse -- Dual diagnosis -- Teens and young adults -- Fetal alcohol syndrome : real and preventable -- Overcoming the culture of disbelief.

"As compelling as it is informative and authoritative, The Anatomy of Addiction will lead you to a better understanding about the causes, prevention, and treatment of addiction. It explains in layman's terms what constitutes effective, evidence-based addiction medicine and how to find it. This book provides actionable, scientific information for addicts and their families and details how to avoid so-called rehab clinics that are at best useless and at worst dangerous and even life threatening"-- Provided by publisher.