Healing the Addicted Brain: The Revolutionary, Science-Based Alcoholism and Addiction... by Harold Urschel

"New, scientifically-based approaches that recognize the biological basis of addiction have brought major advances in the treatment of addiction. Dr. Urschel is at the forefront of this treatment paradigm."
Dr. Larry Hanselka, Psychologist --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Owner Reviews, Ratings, Comments and Criticism
I expected more from a doctor that has made it his career to "help" alcoholics and addicts. Throughout the book, the author repetitively tells the reader to access more information and resources at the EnterHealth's (the rehab facility the author is affiliated with) website... of course the author never once mentioned that to access that information and those resources would cost $95 and rapidly escalate up for telephone support (and given the track record, that access will probably point the reader to residential rehab at EnterHealth's facility). Most sales brochures are free, but this one puts the addict and family back about $11. Also, the climax of this book seems to be the author's fascination with Vivitrol (injectible naltrexone). Author (page 73): "Vivitrol is the breakthrough medicine that will revolutionize the treatment of alcoholism." Wow. In its page-after-page of glowing review the author fails to mention any real downside. Such as throughout a randomized trial of Vivitrol craving persisted (leaving patients to struggle over obsessive thoughts and addictive craving that carry the risk of relapse and death) and there was no progressive decrease in heavy drinking days after the end of the trial. [Source: "Naltrexone treatment for alcohol dependency," Journal of the American Medical Association 294(8) (August 24/31, 2005): 899-900] And, those with liver issues should not take Vivitrol, ... a problem for a certain percentage of people that are alcoholic. That the author doesn't even mention some fascinating research into other medications, such as Baclofen -- a generic no less, shows either bias or ignorance of current trends in research and thought. I was trying to look for some positive information from the book to make this review seem more balanced, but all such information can be retrieved elsewhere (other contemporary addiction recovery books or online). Unnecessarily taking money from people struggling with alcoholism or addiction should be considered unethical. NOTE: the glowing quotes under 'review' and 'product description' above are from a Dr. Larry Hanselka, an affiliate of the author and conducts business in the office of the author's Urschel Recovery Science Institute ([...]). BUYER BEWARE.