The Craving Brain: The BioBalance Approach to Controlling Addictions

By Marcia Byalick and Ronald A. Ruden

"Gotta have it" is the thought process of an addicted person. A drink, a drag, a hit, a line, a pill, another piece of chocolate. "Gotta have it." What drives this powerful need known as addiction? The problem isn't with the abused substance or activity, contends Dr. Ruden. The problem lies in the brain. As a result of genetic, hormonal and environmental factors, dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain are altered, and this sets the stage for the craving response. "Gotta have it " The Craving Brain explains why some individuals are susceptible to addiction to alcohol, gambling or food, while others remain unaffected. It also shows why 12-step programs work, and why we need Alcoholics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. Describing a new, revolutionary treatment to prevent the craving response, this book will forever alter our thinking and our approach to this devastating -- but treatable -- condition.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060186984
• ISBN13: 9780060186982
• Release Date: March 1997
• Publisher: Harper
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 1.01 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.3" x 0.9" x 5.5"

Customer Reviews

This Should Be Taught In Junior High

Why do I stuff a whole bag of candy or quart of ice cream into my face? Why am I obsessed with Suzy down the street? Why do some people become alcoholics while others don't who drink just as much? Why am I so depressed? How can I learn to be satisfied with just the amount of food, sex and excitement that is good for me? This amazing book explains a neurobiological mechanism common to all these questions and more. It...

Follow up:

On Jan. 23/00 I was waxing and waning on the merits of this bio-balance approach to addiction. Well , confession time ; I wrote that the day I severed the bond (33 years) with nicotine How - Zyban - if that is O.K. to mention .... but somehow ,in someway , that particular concotion ... ( its really wellbutrin), did everything that Ruden talks about.... it is definitely in the neuro-chemical balance in the brain; for me...

Forward Thinking !

Finally , something on , about addictions that seems to hit the proverbial nail on the head. A forward assault on the bottom line of'addiction' ..the craving brain .....the complex of neuro-chemicals , especially dopamine and serotonin , and the yin/yang; up.down ; getting the right balance. Presented as a theory ... as such holds the potential as a very fruitful theory.

Ruden a True Pioneer in the Field of Addiction

Ruden's work is revolutionary. Not the final word, of course, but as a psychologist in the field I can say that The Craving Brain has been of immense value to me in both my research and clinical work. I recommend this book to anyone who is trying to understand and overcome an addiction.

A gem of a book for out-front ideas on addictions

The book is very readable for the non-medical community. It gets right to the point of the author's 'biobalance' theory. References to research are detailed. Author frames his explanation of theory to be comprehensive, but readily understandable. Seems to build a plateau from which further research would and should continue. My only reservations: seems to be a lack of research on the 'smoking gun' portions of theory...