Humans are biologically programmed to seek out pleasurable experiences.
These experiences are processed in the mesolimbic system, also referred
to as the "reward center" of the brain, where a number of chemical
messengers work in concert to provide a net release of dopamine in the
Nucleus Accumbens. In some genetically predisposed individuals,
addiction occurs when the mechanisms of the mesolimbic system are
disrupted by the use of various drugs of abuse. Since Alcoholics
Anonymous was founded in 1935, it's 12 step program of spiritual and
character development has helped countless alcoholics and drug addicts
curb their self-destructive behaviors. However, the program was
developed at a time when comparatively little was known about the
function of the brain and it has never been studied scientifically. This
is the first book to take a systematic look at the molecular
neurobiology associated with each of the 12 steps and to review the
significant body of addiction research literature that is pertinent to
the program.