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History of the congress of neurological surgeons, 1951–1991
Book Reviews
History of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, 1951-1991. E d i t e d by J o h n M. T h o m p s o n , M . D . 202 pages. [ $ 0 . 0 0 - - n o t for sale.] B a l t i m o r e : W i l l i a m s & W i l k i n s , 1992. I S B N 0 - 6 8 3 - 0 8 1 8 1 - 0 . This book, faithfully edited by Dr. John Thompson, Historian and Chairman of the Archives Committee, is a treasure trove of information. The preface and the introduction, both written, I believe, by Dr. Thompson, constitute a historical document of value; it will be referred to in the same way as are the histories of other societies that have been published in other documents. Beyond that the book is a storehouse of biographies of those who have been selected as honorees of the Society. There are biographies of all the presidents of the Society, written at the time of their selection for office. These brief biographies, each well written, will be of increasing value in the future just as Neurosurgical Giants: Feet of Clay and Iron and Modern Neurosurgical Giants, by Paul Bucy, have been utilized. The Diamond Jubilee edition of the Society of Neurological Surgeons, published in 1984, is a similar document and these publications will complement one another. This small paperbound book, nicely published by Williams & Wilkins for the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, should be in the possession of all neurosurgeons, not only in the United States but elsewhere in the world. Copies are being sent gratis to the Congress of Neurological Surgeons members. For information write to Dr.John Thompson, 2000 Blossom Way South, St. Petersburg, FL 33712. EBEN ALEXANDER, JR., M.D. Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Addictive States Association for Research in Nervous and Mental Disorders. Edited by Charles P. O'Brien, M.D., Ph.D., and Jerome H. Jaffe, M.D. 272 pages, $105.00. New York: Raven Press, 1991. ISBN #0-88167855-4. The addictions field has traditionally been divided into two camps. Basic scientists have found little of interest in the treatment literature, while treatment providers have difficulty understanding the importance of much of basic research. This newest offering in the series by the Association for Research in Nervous and Mental Disorders attempts to present state of the art information on addictive states in a way that can be used by both researcher and clinician. The editors have brought together some of the most important names in research and treatment of addiction in this diverse volume. The volume is wisely opened with a discussion of concepts of addiction, Dr. Jaffe points out that there are "important
Surg Neurol 1992;38:157-60
159
theoretical and practical differences between conceptual models, which attempt to set forth the relationships among factors that influence excessive or dependent drug use (addiction) and definitions, which are aimed at stating whether a given pattern of drug-using behavior should be labeled as drug abuse or drug dependence or addiction." His chapter carefully examines criteria for both conceptual models and definitions and sets the stage for a volume that can be useful to both the basic scientist and the clinician. H e is particularly brave in addressing the issues that have challenged current thinking in treatment and called into question some of the findings of the scientific method. He gives a respectful hearing to some of those who have offered unpopular explanations of addiction. In the following chapter, Dr. Denise Kandel discusses prevalence of use, trends in use, and prevalence of abuse and dependence. She presents findings from three different databases and examines trends discernible from them over time. She cogently offers the epidemiological perspective on addiction. One perspective is descriptive, addressing the phenomenology of addiction in the general population. The second perspective is more analytical and speculative, providing insights on the very process of addiction. Using these two perspectives, she concludes that the average time from first use of a substance to the appearance of a serious problem is approximately 3 years, and that over the life cycle approximately 20% of men and women who experiment with an illicit drug will have a drug-related diagnosis, She concludes with the hope that epidemiologists and clinicians will generate new hypotheses that can be systematically tested. H e r clear and informative chapter is a good basis for that type of dialogue. In a chapter entitled "Is There a Natural History of Addiction?" George Vaillant presents a study of two treatment cohorts over a period of 10 to 20 years. One sample contains 100 treated heroin addicts, the other 100 treated alcoholics. H e examines the issue of relapse and why it does or does not occur, substitute dependencies, the role of new relationships, and the influence of inspirational group membership on recovery. He concludes that "the goal of treatment should not be detoxification, but the prevention of relapse," and suggests that addiction ought to be viewed as a whole constellation of conditioned, unconscious behaviors. Mark Schuckit, M.D., provides a review of current studies that focus on genetic factors in addiction. He carefully notes that the genetic influence, while supported in many studies, is clearly mediated by nongenetic factors. H e contributes not only the findings of recent studies but discussions of the progress in methodology that may lead to greater consistency of findings. In a discussion of how nicotine, cocaine, and marijuana contribute to our understanding of addiction, Reese Jones, M.D., reminds us that at the Association for Research in Nervous and Mental Disorders Conference on Addictive States in 1966 compulsive use of nicotine and cocaine was considered a habit and not associated with physical dependence, and cannabis was not considered addictive. Our views on these substances have changed somewhat in the intervening years, and new questions about addiction are being asked in order to
History of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, 1951-1991. E d i t e d by J o h n M. T h o m p s o n , M . D . 202 pages. [ $ 0 . 0 0 - - n o t for sale.] B a l t i m o r e : W i l l i a m s & W i l k i n s , 1992. I S B N 0 - 6 8 3 - 0 8 1 8 1 - 0 . This book, faithfully edited by Dr. John Thompson, Historian and Chairman of the Archives Committee, is a treasure trove of information. The preface and the introduction, both written, I believe, by Dr. Thompson, constitute a historical document of value; it will be referred to in the same way as are the histories of other societies that have been published in other documents. Beyond that the book is a storehouse of biographies of those who have been selected as honorees of the Society. There are biographies of all the presidents of the Society, written at the time of their selection for office. These brief biographies, each well written, will be of increasing value in the future just as Neurosurgical Giants: Feet of Clay and Iron and Modern Neurosurgical Giants, by Paul Bucy, have been utilized. The Diamond Jubilee edition of the Society of Neurological Surgeons, published in 1984, is a similar document and these publications will complement one another. This small paperbound book, nicely published by Williams & Wilkins for the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, should be in the possession of all neurosurgeons, not only in the United States but elsewhere in the world. Copies are being sent gratis to the Congress of Neurological Surgeons members. For information write to Dr.John Thompson, 2000 Blossom Way South, St. Petersburg, FL 33712. EBEN ALEXANDER, JR., M.D. Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Addictive States Association for Research in Nervous and Mental Disorders. Edited by Charles P. O'Brien, M.D., Ph.D., and Jerome H. Jaffe, M.D. 272 pages, $105.00. New York: Raven Press, 1991. ISBN #0-88167855-4. The addictions field has traditionally been divided into two camps. Basic scientists have found little of interest in the treatment literature, while treatment providers have difficulty understanding the importance of much of basic research. This newest offering in the series by the Association for Research in Nervous and Mental Disorders attempts to present state of the art information on addictive states in a way that can be used by both researcher and clinician. The editors have brought together some of the most important names in research and treatment of addiction in this diverse volume. The volume is wisely opened with a discussion of concepts of addiction, Dr. Jaffe points out that there are "important
Surg Neurol 1992;38:157-60
159
theoretical and practical differences between conceptual models, which attempt to set forth the relationships among factors that influence excessive or dependent drug use (addiction) and definitions, which are aimed at stating whether a given pattern of drug-using behavior should be labeled as drug abuse or drug dependence or addiction." His chapter carefully examines criteria for both conceptual models and definitions and sets the stage for a volume that can be useful to both the basic scientist and the clinician. H e is particularly brave in addressing the issues that have challenged current thinking in treatment and called into question some of the findings of the scientific method. He gives a respectful hearing to some of those who have offered unpopular explanations of addiction. In the following chapter, Dr. Denise Kandel discusses prevalence of use, trends in use, and prevalence of abuse and dependence. She presents findings from three different databases and examines trends discernible from them over time. She cogently offers the epidemiological perspective on addiction. One perspective is descriptive, addressing the phenomenology of addiction in the general population. The second perspective is more analytical and speculative, providing insights on the very process of addiction. Using these two perspectives, she concludes that the average time from first use of a substance to the appearance of a serious problem is approximately 3 years, and that over the life cycle approximately 20% of men and women who experiment with an illicit drug will have a drug-related diagnosis, She concludes with the hope that epidemiologists and clinicians will generate new hypotheses that can be systematically tested. H e r clear and informative chapter is a good basis for that type of dialogue. In a chapter entitled "Is There a Natural History of Addiction?" George Vaillant presents a study of two treatment cohorts over a period of 10 to 20 years. One sample contains 100 treated heroin addicts, the other 100 treated alcoholics. H e examines the issue of relapse and why it does or does not occur, substitute dependencies, the role of new relationships, and the influence of inspirational group membership on recovery. He concludes that "the goal of treatment should not be detoxification, but the prevention of relapse," and suggests that addiction ought to be viewed as a whole constellation of conditioned, unconscious behaviors. Mark Schuckit, M.D., provides a review of current studies that focus on genetic factors in addiction. He carefully notes that the genetic influence, while supported in many studies, is clearly mediated by nongenetic factors. H e contributes not only the findings of recent studies but discussions of the progress in methodology that may lead to greater consistency of findings. In a discussion of how nicotine, cocaine, and marijuana contribute to our understanding of addiction, Reese Jones, M.D., reminds us that at the Association for Research in Nervous and Mental Disorders Conference on Addictive States in 1966 compulsive use of nicotine and cocaine was considered a habit and not associated with physical dependence, and cannabis was not considered addictive. Our views on these substances have changed somewhat in the intervening years, and new questions about addiction are being asked in order to