Stress is one of the most commonly reported precipitants of drug use and is considered the number one cause of relapse to drug abuse. For the past several decades, there have been a number of significant advances in research focusing on the neurobiological and psychosocial aspects of stress and addiction; along with this growth came the recognition of the importance of understanding the interaction of biological and psychosocial factors that influence risk for initiation and maintenance of addictive behaviors. Recent research has started to specifically focus on understanding the nature of how stress contributes to addiction - this research has influenced the way we think about addiction and its etiological factors and has produced exciting possibilities for developing effective intervention strategies; to date there has been no available book to integrate this literature. This highly focused work integrates and consolidates available knowledge to provide a resource for researchers and practitioners and for trainees in multiple fields. Stress and Addiction will help neuroscientists, social scientists, and mental health providers in addressing the role of stress in addictive behaviors; the volume is also useful as a reference book for those conducting research in this field. - Integrates theoretical and practical issues related to stress and addiction - Includes case studies illustrating where an emotional state and addictive behavior represent a prominent feature of the clinical presentation - Cross-disciplinary coverage with contributions by by scientists and practitioners from multiple fields, including psychology, neuroscience, neurobiology, and medicine

Most addictive behavior is rooted in some type of loss, be it the death of a loved one, coming to terms with limitations set by chronic health problems, or the end of a relationship. By turning to drugs and alcohol, people who have suffered a loss can numb their grief. In the process, they postpone their healing and can drive themselves further into addiction. The Mindfulness Workbook for Addiction offers readers an effective program for working through their addiction and grief with cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Created by a psychologist who works for the Department of Veterans Affairs and a marriage and family therapist who works for Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital, this mindfulness training workbook is effective for treating the emotion dysregulation, stress, depression, and grief that lie at the heart of addiction. No matter the loss, the mindfulness skills in this workbook help readers process their grief, determine the function their addiction is serving, and replace the addiction with healthy coping behaviors.

Stress And Anxiety Management & Alcohol Addiction Stress And Anxiety Management: Are you suffering from stress, anxiety, or panic attacks and are looking for a lasting solution? You have come to the right place! This book seeks to equip you with understanding and techniques to help you shift your thinking so that you can better respond to negative emotions. The solution is not out there—it is right inside of you, and this book seeks to help you activate it. The good news here is that stress and anxiety management does not have to be a daunting task. Herein you will find techniques that you can practice anywhere—be it at home, in the office, or even while traveling. CBT is your permanent stress solution—guiding you on how to alter your thinking and perceptions so that you can face life’s situations without worrying yourself sick, literally. Coping with stress has never been easier. The book includes topics on stress/anxiety management, resetting body and mind for optimum mental health, stopping panic attacks, relaxation techniques, healing from tragedy, and so on. This book is backed by comprehensive research on the factors that affect stress and anxiety as well as the remedies that different people have tried—with both positive and negative results. CBT has produced consistent positive and long-lasting results, and the same is in store for you once you acquire this book. Alcohol Addiction: Alcohol is a wonderful thing. It can be used for celebrations, both good and bad! It can be used to toast to someone’s good fortune or hope for a better future. It can be used in an expression of undying love or simply to enjoy a relaxing moment at the end of a difficult work week. But alcohol can be an evil thing, also. Alcohol can cause brain damage, heart problems, and strokes. Alcohol can lead to liver damage. Alcohol can lead to drunken driving accidents and even death. Why alcohol is such a problem for some people and not for others still remains a mystery. But the fact is that alcohol is such a problem for some people that it can have life-threatening consequences. These people are called alcoholics, and this book was written for them. The alcoholic has a disease called alcoholism, and like anyone else with a disease, they need help. This book is the consummate guide for anyone who is finally ready to admit to the problems that alcoholism brings and is ready to accept the help needed to begin recovery. From learning exactly what alcoholism is and how it begins to learning the benefits of quitting, no topic is off limits. We will discuss how one person’s alcohol addiction affects the remainder of the family and how family dynamics shift to accommodate the alcoholic. We will talk about the enabler and what they mean to the alcoholic. We will discuss the best ways to quit drinking and the pros and cons of each method. We will talk about recovery plans and the importance of having people available that will assist in the path to recovery. And there will be tips on ways to enjoy life now that alcohol is no longer a problem!

Neural Mechanisms of Addiction is the only book available that synthesizes the latest research in the field into a single, accessible resource covering all aspects of how addiction develops and persists in the brain. The book summarizes our most recent understanding on the neural mechanisms underlying addiction. It also examines numerous biobehavioral aspects of addiction disorders, such as reinforcement learning, reward, cognitive dysfunction, stress, and sleep and circadian rhythms that are not covered in any other publication. Readers with find the most up-to-date information on which to build a foundation for their future research in this expanding field. Combining chapters from leading researchers and thought leaders, this book is an indispensable guide for students and investigators engaged in addiction research. - Transcends multiple neural, neurochemical and behavioral domains - Summarizes advances in the field of addiction research since the advent of optogenetics - Discusses the most current, leading theories of addiction, including molecular mechanisms and dopamine mechanisms

Drug addictions are often difficult to treat. The most successful treatments begin with studying why individuals become addicted to drugs and how to change their thinking and behaviour. Cognitive, Clinical, and Neural Aspects of Drug Addiction focuses on the theories that cause drug addiction, including avoidance behavior, self-medication, reward sensitization, behavioral inhibition and impulsivity. Dr. Moustafa takes this book one step further by reviewing the psychological and neural causes of relapse including the role of stress, anxiety and depression. By examining both the causes of drug addiction and relapse, this book will help clinicians create individualized treatment options for patients suffering from drug addiction.

Disorders of anxiety and substance use are, for some reason, rarely treated in an integrated fashion by professionals. This timely volume addresses this glaring omission with dispatches from the frontlines of research and treatment. Thirty-four international experts offer findings, theories, and intervention strategies for this common form of dual disorder, across a range of substances and of anxiety disorders, to give the reader comprehensive knowledge in a practical format.

Stress is such an over-used word that it is at time difficult to define its core features. When is an environment stressful? What does a stressful environment do to the brain and to the body? What are the biological mechanisms by which a stressor affects us? How does stress contributes to the onset and the progression of mental disorders? How do the effects of stress change over the life-time of an individual? These are just some of the overarching questions addressed by this book, thanks to the contribution of some of the world leading experts on the neurobiology of stress at the pre-clinical and clinical levels. Topics include current advances on the neurobiology of stress on various neurobiological systems such as immune, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, neurogenesis and neuroplasticity, neurotransmitter (glutamate, noradrenaline, dopamine, serotonin and endocannabinoid), neuropeptides, cognition and emotional processing as well as in utero and early postnatal effects. The clinical chapters deal with the relationship of stress and mental disorders such as depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, substance abuse and addiction, dementia and age-related cognitive decline as well as resilience to stress. Thus, this book brings together some of the most updated and authoritative views on the effects of stress of brain and behavior.