{"product_id":"craving-for-ecstasy-and-natural-highs-9781412956734","title":"Craving for Ecstasy and Natural Highs","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis book is extremely useful for a broad range of readers. This book reflects the extensive scientific and clinical expertise of the authors and is compelling reading for anyone interested in addictive behaviors. It is one of the rare books that from page one immediately engrosses, educates and broadens your perspective. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eAlex Blaszczynski, \u003cem\u003eThe University of Sydney,\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cem\u003eInternational Journal of Mental Health Addiction\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cem\u003ePsychologist Harvey Milkman and chemist Stanley Sunderwirth explore why our relentless search for pleasure sometimes leads to dangerous addictions and show us healthy ways to achieve happiness. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003eSCIENTIFIC AMERICAN MIND\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eHarvey B. Milkman and Stanley Sunderwirth have written a tour de force. Craving for Ecstasy and Natural Highs: A Positive Approach to Mood Alteration . . . is a beautifully written and organized book . . . a thrill ride through the most innovative and insightful perspectives that science and clini\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"This book is extremely useful for a broad range of readers. This book reflects the extensive scientific and clinical expertise of the authors and is compelling reading for anyone interested in addictive behaviors. It is one of the rare books that from page one immediately engrosses, educates and broadens your perspective.\" -- Alex Blaszczynski\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTable of Contents\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePrologue Preface PART I:  THE UNIVERSAL DESIRE TO FEEL GOOD Introduction    Addiction Syndrome Disorders    Extent of the Problem    Positive Psychology and Natural Highs Ch 1.  Addiction to Experience    The Broad Scope of Addiction    Behavioral Addictions    The Addictive Personality    Who Is Most at Risk?    Acquisition and Maintenance of Reward-Dependent Behavior    Drugs and Activities of Choice    Beacons of Compulsion    Behavioral Excess and the Brain    Mismanaging the Brain    Society and the Deviant Career    Chapter Summary Ch 2.  Pleasure and the Brain    Neurochemistry 101    The Joy of Dopamine and the Reward Cascade    Genes and Drug Abuse - Choose Your Parents Carefully    Drugs to Fight Drugs    Chapter Summary PART II:  FINDING RELIEF AND LETTING GO    Overview: Seeking Safety and Comfort    The Chemistry of Calm Ch 3.  Hey, What′s in This Stuff, Anyway?    Introduction    Inheriting Alcoholism    The Addictive Quality of Alcohol    Neurotransmitter Regulation and Dysfunction    Harmful Effects on the Mind, Body, and Brain    Sobriety and the Brain:  What if I Quit?    Coping With Cravings and Urges    Redeeming Alcohol: The Benefits of Booze    Hold the Press, What About Cancer?    To Quit or Not to Quit?    Chapter Summary Ch 4.  The Great Psychiatric Tavern    Who Shows Up and What Do They Do?    Surrogate Family Atmosphere    The \"Regulars\"    Chapter Summary Ch 5.  Self-Medication    Introduction    Nicotine: The World′s Antidepressant    Alcohol and Drug Abuse Among Women    Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Self-Medication    Patients in the Street    Prescription Drug Abuse    Inhalants: How Stupid Can You Get?    Chapter Summary Ch 6.  Eating for a Change    Introduction    Anorexia, Bulimia, and Binge Eating    Eating and the Brain    Why Chocolate?    Obesity Around the Globe    Obesity in America    Overeating and Psychoanalysis    Biology Versus Psychology    Chapter Summary PART III:  THE THRILL OF EXCITEMENT AND RISK    Overview: What a Rush! Ch 7.  Stress Hormone Highs    Introduction    Wake Me Up! Caffeine Buzz    Stress Intoxication    Addiction: The Curse of Ecstasy    The Up and Down Game    Problem and Pathological Gambling    Shop ′Till You Drop    Autoerotic Fatalities    Am I a Speed Demon?    Chapter Summary Ch 8.  Rock Around the Clock: Methamphetamine, Cocaine, and the Club Scene    Introduction    Methamphetamine - A Dopamine Blast    Methamphetamine and the Brain    Cocaine: Gift of the Gods    Cocaine and the Brain    Compulsion to Use    The Club Scene    Club Drugs    Chapter Summary PART IV:  MENTAL EXCURSIONS    Overview: Imagination - The Quintessential Human Trait    Electronic Media Everywhere    The Child′s Use of Fantasy    Religion and Myth    Science and Religion    Personal Fantasy    Overview Summary Ch 9.  Virtual Reality and Electronic Bogeymen    Introduction: The Evolution of Electronic Media    Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games    Online Game Addiction    Is the Internet Good or Bad?    Chapter Summary Ch 10. Fantasy and the Drug Experience    Introduction:  The \"Trip\" Begins    Hallucinogens and the Brain    LSD    Dissociative Drugs    Can Hallucinogens Heal?    Chapter Summary Ch 11. Compelled by Fantasy    Introduction    Shared Delusions    Facilitator-Assisted Fantasy    Schizophrenic Fantasy    The Terrorist Mind-Set    Armageddon: The Ultimate Fantasy    Terror Management    Chapter Summary PART V:  CRAVING FOR INTIMACY    Overview: The importance of Human Connections Ch 12. Love or Addiction    Infatuation and the Legend of St. Valentine    Neurochemistry of Romance    Love and Death    MDMA: Synthetic Love    Should I Try Ecstasy?    Chapter Summary Ch 13. Marijuana--Reefer Madness Revisited    ′Benefits′ of Pot: Why Do So Many People Smoke?    Effects on the Brain    Withdrawal    Effects on Cognition    Serious Mental Disorder    Marijuana and the Endocrine System    Marijuana and the Immune System    Long-Term Effects on Health    Medical Marijuana    Chapter Summary Ch 14. Romantic Sex Fantasy    Who Attends and Why    ′Intimacy′ at the Gentlemen′s Club    The Allure of Prostitution    Chapter Summary PART VI:  JOURNEY TO OBLIVION Ch 15. The Voyage of Hardship and Suffering    Introduction: The Disease Concept of Addiction    Addiction and the Adolescent Brain    The Downward Spiral of Addiction    Capsules for Transport: Licit and Illicit Drugs    Behavioral Addictions    The Passenger Sleeps    Symbols of Change    The Robot Pilot    The Mutiny    A Guard Must be Posted    Improving the Odds    Chapter Summary PART VII:  NATURAL HIGHS: THE CUTTING EDGE OF MOOD ALTERATION    Overview: The Era of Self-Regulation and Natural Highs Ch 16. The Cognitive-Behavioral Revolution: How to Manage Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors    Introduction: Evolution of the Cognitive-Behavioral Model    Contemporary Cognitive Therapy    Behaviorist Contributions    Combining Cognitive and Behavioral Theories    Working With Automatic Thoughts and Core Beliefs    The Trans-Ideological Power of Cognitive-Behavioral Restructuring    Cognitive-Behavioral Restructuring in Everyday Life    Chaper Summary Ch 17. Maintaining Close and Intimate Relationships    Introduction: The Three Faces of Love    The Universal Need for Love    Secure Attachment: A Prototype for Successful Relationships    Healthy Love    Intimacy and Sexuality    Intimacy Versus Individuality    Optimizing Relationships    Chapter Summary Ch 18. Relaxation, Mindfulness, and Meditation    Introduction: Meditation Comes of Age    Mindfulness    Process Meditation    Does Meditation Work?    Meditation and Hedonic Dependencies    A Word of Caution    Science-Based Relaxation Techniques    Managing Stress in the Here and Now    Chapter Summary Ch 19: Eating Yourself Fit    Introduction: Does Dieting Work?    The Natural Highs Alternative: Think Thin, Moderate, Workout!    Developing the Right State of Mind    Partial Fasting    What Is a Healthy Diet?    The Bottom Line    Chapter Summary Ch 20. Exercise: The Magic Bullet    Introduction    Exercise of Choice    The Chemistry of Working Out    Exercise for Body Trimming    Training for Physical Health    Running Away From Depression    Healthy Body, Healthy Mind    Runner′s High: Fact or Fiction?    Make Life a Moving Experience    Chapter Summary Ch 21. Meaningful Engagement of Talents    Introduction: Capitalizing on Abilities and Strengths    Integrating Models for Self-Discovery and Change    Self-Discovery in Everyday Life    The Personal Pleasure Inventory    Chaper Summary References Appendix I:  The Personal Pleasure Inventory Appendix II: Classroom Discussion Guides\u003c\/em\u003e","brand":"SAGE Publications Inc","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50015440863575,"sku":"9781412956734","price":51.3,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9781412956734.jpg?v=1739909240","url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/craving-for-ecstasy-and-natural-highs-9781412956734","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}