Drugs - Physiological effect -- Drug addicts

Indeks : p. 567 - 598 ; The use of psychotropics drugs to modify sensation, perception, mood and behaviour has been ubiquitous in human societies since time immemorial. The scientific development of safe and effective psychotropic drugs for the treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorder is, a relatively recent phenomenon and raises several pressing questions. Will new drugs be developed for pleasure as well as medical treatment? Will new treatments for addiction itself become feasible? Will drugs emerge that can enhance cognition, and what are the ethical implications if they become widespread in society? How have previous generations coped with innovation in drugs? Will new drugs be developed to treat behavioural addictions such as gambling? How can we make the most of our new knowledge and minimise the problems it might bring?. This book explores how the knowledge gained from recent advances will be used in coming decades. Constributors cover the full range of disciplines which can provide insight into the future of addiction, from genetics to humanities. They were gathered together by the UK government's office of science and innovation to consider these issues in a unique and multi-faceted collaboration. It will be of value to neuroscientists and other biologists, to social scientist with an interest in health and drugs, to policy-makers involved in health, drugs and crime, and to the pharmaceutical industry.