Memoirs of An Addicted Brain

An outstanding book. The intermingling of feelings and emotions of an addicted brain with the science of what is going on upstairs. This makes for a wonderful exposition either for the addicted, those recovering, family and health care providers. Well written and brutally honest at times, the book gives an honest account of addiction with the rare look at what one persons feelings and emotional state was while in the moment thanks to the authors journals. It was nice to read what I think is the missing piece of addiction theory. Neither disease or lack of moral character, but the brain systems learned actions. Fortunately this is reversible though the imprinting stays forever. Entertaining and educational it is. Well worth the time if this is a subject that interests.

Not your usual addiction memoir. This is a great exploration of what your brain is like on drugs -- literally! This book could be a good source for a student of brain physiology.

Marc Lewis is a professor at OISE, University of Toronto, who I worked with. His life experience from drug addict to a professor is fascinating. I found the book did not explain enough scientific reasons on how he recovered from addiction. a little bit disappointed on too much personal story telling on his life.

Be aware that this is the drug equivalent of a drunkalogue -- mostly a narration of the troubles the author got into through his massive and varied drug use. What is happening inside the brain is there, too, and sobering. But, as a friend of an addict (who has since died), I found listening to the account of all that happens to people driven by their addictions hard to listen to again.

Addiction memoir from an expert.