Addiction: A Problem of Epidemic Proportions: ISBN 978-1-68282-921-9 / eBook: 978-1-68282-922-6
Kirkus Reviews, September 1, 2020

The causes and consequences of addictive behavior are factually presented.
This text covers both addiction to substances, such as opioids and methamphetamine, and addictive behaviors, like gambling and social media, in a balanced fashion. It begins with the nature of addiction, discussing the ways it is a disease, and stresses that addiction is not limited to people of certain backgrounds. It then moves on to the causes of addictive behavior, from genetic predisposition to the design of technology. Devastating consequences receive their due page count, including health issues, relationship stress, and homelessness. The text then moves on to crime, from acts like shoplifting which are addictive in themselves to those perpetrated to obtain money to supply the addiction. The book discusses the high presence of addicts in prisons and argues for the necessity of granting treatment to inmates. Racial bias in sentencing and the disproportionate impact on Black Americans of the war on drugs are not mentioned. The last chapter focuses on recovery methods and ends on the optimistic note that change is possible. In a neutral, presentational tone, this text presents up-to-date evidence, featuring numerous quotes from field experts as well as anecdotal accounts from recovering addicts. The mostly stock photos, about half of which feature White people, break up the text. Text boxes present more details about particular issues, such as vaping or in utero exposure.
A no-nonsense approach of use to report writers. (source notes, resources, further reading, index, photo credits) (Nonfiction. 12-18)

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