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The Profound Limitations of Knowledge explores the limitations of
knowledge and argues that neither reasoning nor direct or indirect
observations can be trusted. We cannot even assign probabilities to
claims of what we can know. Furthermore, for any set of data, there
are an infinite number of possible interpretations. Evidence
suggests that we live in a participatory universe-that is, our
observations shape reality.
While well over one million small-time drug users languish in
overcrowded prisons because of nonviolent drug offenses, tens of
thousands of others get rich from legal and illegal drugs. Drug
company representatives persuade doctors to prescribe inferior
products. Children as young as two are routinely given powerful
drugs. Legal drugs, taken exactly as prescribed, are a leading
cause of illness and death. Scientists beholden to drug companies
fabricate and misrepresent data. This eye-opening book richly
documents disturbing trends in Western medicine and urges readers
toward a broader understanding of drug use and abuse. Leavitt shows
how and why American society must change its medical and policy
approaches to drugs and re-orient medical practice to new ways of
thinking.
Such a book should enhance our knowledge of the physiological
mechanisms underlying behaviour, using drugs as a medium. . . . The
neurobiological basis of the actions of drugs is explained clearly.
. . . Matters crucial to the drug industry are also discussed and
the readers made aware of the great efforts that are required
before a drug reaches the market. . . . A unique feature of this
book is that each chapter has a summary and a mini-quiz. The keys
are provided. These will aid in quick self-evaluation. A very
useful glossary and references are provided. The citations up to
1992 are comprehensive and will help further reading. . . . The
illustrations, tables and screen provided are useful. Students of
psychiatry, behavioural pharmacology and people working on
substance-use disorders will find the book informative. . . .
Rarely has a book in the area been so comprehensive in its
coverage. --The National Medical Journal of India "Rarely has a
book in the area been so comprehensive in its coverage. I have
enjoyed reading it and I hope others will." --Rajat Ray in The
National Medical Journal of India "Current interest in psychoactive
drugs has spawned a large body of writing, but Fred Leavitt's Drugs
and Behavior, now in its third edition, is different. It covers
therapeutic and recreational drugs, and has interesting chapters
describing their effects on memory, creativity, sexual behavior,
aggression, and sleep. What is more, it is reader friendly and not
afraid of controversy." --Alex Patton in BMJ "This is an
interesting text that provides a host of information not usually
found in standard pharmacology texts. The fact that it is now in
its third edition attests to the value of this volume. This is a
valuable book. It should be available in drug and alcohol units,
and it should be read by medicos, nurses, social workers,
psychologists, and others working in the drug and alcohol field."
--Robert G. Batey in Drug and Alcohol Review "The book focuses on
relevant topics and issues and the chapters are comprehensive.
Students will learn a great deal about the effects of drugs on the
human experience." --Patricia Carl-Stannard, Department of Social
Work, Sacred Heart University "The author expresses opinions on
many controversial issues. However, I think these positions are
defended well and I personally agree with them. I think the defense
of some generally unpopular positions is commendable and represents
one of the strengths of the text." --John A. Brendel, Department of
Psychology, Lock Haven University "I am impressed by the content
and quality of this book. In contrast to most books of its type,
careful consideration has been given to the logical presentation of
information and the integration of a vast literature on drug action
in nonhumans to drug action in humans. Because of the
well-conceived format, emphasis on the understanding of basic
issues, and the author's reliance on well-controlled studies, the
text is one of the best in promoting critical thinking." --Mitchell
J. Picker, Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill "Fred Leavitt's Drugs & Behavior appears in its
third edition to cover the basics of psychopharmacology. Unique to
this title is an organization that focuses on human behavioral
changes, updating information from previous editions to reflect the
latest research." --The Midwest Book Review "This is an unusual
book which contains much interesting information about
mind-altering drugs (opiates, stimulants, cannabis, PCP, LSD, amyl
nitrite, etc.). The uses and side-effects of drugs in psychiatry
are also dealt with briefly... The most interesting sections
concern the effects of mind-altering drugs on various aspects of
behaviour, with chapters devoted to memory, sexual behaviour,
aggressiveness, sleep and creativity... Readers interested in these
topics will find the book very useful." --John C. Cookson in
British Journal of Psychiatry What effects do various psychoactive
drugs have on such aspects of human behavior as creativity, memory,
and sexuality? How effective are such drugs in treating mental
disorders? How are new drugs tested and licensed? Presenting an
intriguing introduction to the study of psychopharmacology, this
fully revised and updated third edition of Drugs and Behavior is
uniquely organized around the ways in which human behavior is
affected by drugs rather than by categories of drugs only.
Beginning with the principles of neurotransmission,
pharmacokinetics, and drug classification, the text covers the
issues of new drug development, drug dangers and benefits,
legalization, drug abuse prevention and treatment, and therapeutic
uses of psychoactive drugs. Separate chapters present the latest
research findings on drugs' influence on memory, creativity, sex,
aggression, and sleep. Features such as chapter-opening questions,
bold-facing, defining of new terms, summaries, and end-of-chapter
review quizzes help students to understand this complex and
controversial material. Professionals and students who are involved
in drug and alcohol studies, health, psychology, nursing, or
sociology will find this volume to be an invaluable addition to
their libraries.
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