Comments on: Healing the Addicted Brain: The Revolutionary, Science-Based Alcoholism and Addiction Recovery Program http://www.johnniewalkersuperseries.com/healing-the-addicted-brain-the-revolutionary-science-based-alcoholism-and-addiction-recovery-program Providing update drug alcohol rehab tips and guides Thu, 11 Mar 2010 22:03:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Eric http://www.johnniewalkersuperseries.com/healing-the-addicted-brain-the-revolutionary-science-based-alcoholism-and-addiction-recovery-program/comment-page-1#comment-242 Eric Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:22:21 +0000 http://www.johnniewalkersuperseries.com/healing-the-addicted-brain-the-revolutionary-science-based-alcoholism-and-addiction-recovery-program#comment-242 I expected more from a doctor that has made it his career to "help" alcoholics and addicts. <br /> <br />Throughout the book, the author repetitively tells the reader to access more information and resources at the EnterHealth's (the rehab facility the author is affiliated with) website... of course the author never once mentioned that to access that information and those resources would cost $95 and rapidly escalate up for telephone support (and given the track record, that access will probably point the reader to residential rehab at EnterHealth's facility). Most sales brochures are free, but this one puts the addict and family back about $11. <br /> <br />Also, the climax of this book seems to be the author's fascination with Vivitrol (injectible naltrexone). Author (page 73): "Vivitrol is the breakthrough medicine that will revolutionize the treatment of alcoholism." Really? In its page-after-page of glowing review the author fails to mention any real downside. Such as throughout a randomized trial of Vivitrol craving persisted (leaving patients to struggle over obsessive thoughts and addictive craving that carry the risk of relapse and death) and there was no progressive decrease in heavy drinking days after the end of the trial. [Source: "Naltrexone treatment for alcohol dependency," Journal of the American Medical Association 294(8) (August 24/31, 2005): 899-900] And, those with liver issues should not take Vivitrol, ... a problem for a certain percentage of people that are alcoholic. That the author doesn't even mention some fascinating research into other medications, such as Baclofen -- a generic no less, shows either bias or ignorance of current trends in research and thought. <br /> <br />I was trying to look for some positive information from the book to make this review seem more balanced, but all such information can be retrieved elsewhere (other contemporary addiction recovery books or online). <br /> <br />Unnecessarily taking money from people struggling with alcoholism or addiction should be considered unethical. <br /> <br /> Rating: 1 / 5 I expected more from a doctor that has made it his career to “help” alcoholics and addicts.

Throughout the book, the author repetitively tells the reader to access more information and resources at the EnterHealth’s (the rehab facility the author is affiliated with) website… of course the author never once mentioned that to access that information and those resources would cost $95 and rapidly escalate up for telephone support (and given the track record, that access will probably point the reader to residential rehab at EnterHealth’s facility). Most sales brochures are free, but this one puts the addict and family back about $11.

Also, the climax of this book seems to be the author’s fascination with Vivitrol (injectible naltrexone). Author (page 73): “Vivitrol is the breakthrough medicine that will revolutionize the treatment of alcoholism.” Really? In its page-after-page of glowing review the author fails to mention any real downside. Such as throughout a randomized trial of Vivitrol craving persisted (leaving patients to struggle over obsessive thoughts and addictive craving that carry the risk of relapse and death) and there was no progressive decrease in heavy drinking days after the end of the trial. [Source: "Naltrexone treatment for alcohol dependency," Journal of the American Medical Association 294(8) (August 24/31, 2005): 899-900] And, those with liver issues should not take Vivitrol, … a problem for a certain percentage of people that are alcoholic. That the author doesn’t even mention some fascinating research into other medications, such as Baclofen — a generic no less, shows either bias or ignorance of current trends in research and thought.

I was trying to look for some positive information from the book to make this review seem more balanced, but all such information can be retrieved elsewhere (other contemporary addiction recovery books or online).

Unnecessarily taking money from people struggling with alcoholism or addiction should be considered unethical.

Rating: 1 / 5

]]> By: Elaine C. Brown http://www.johnniewalkersuperseries.com/healing-the-addicted-brain-the-revolutionary-science-based-alcoholism-and-addiction-recovery-program/comment-page-1#comment-241 Elaine C. Brown Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:01:48 +0000 http://www.johnniewalkersuperseries.com/healing-the-addicted-brain-the-revolutionary-science-based-alcoholism-and-addiction-recovery-program#comment-241 Healing the addicted brain was very informative. I think this book is a new approach to an old problem. Rating: 5 / 5 Healing the addicted brain was very informative. I think this book is a new approach to an old problem.
Rating: 5 / 5

]]> By: Dorinda Odesa http://www.johnniewalkersuperseries.com/healing-the-addicted-brain-the-revolutionary-science-based-alcoholism-and-addiction-recovery-program/comment-page-1#comment-240 Dorinda Odesa Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:06:39 +0000 http://www.johnniewalkersuperseries.com/healing-the-addicted-brain-the-revolutionary-science-based-alcoholism-and-addiction-recovery-program#comment-240 I think the book informs the reader very well but doesn't give enough information on how to obtain the medical treatment recommended, i.e., the medicine. Where can you find a Doctor that will prescribe the medicine referred to in the book? I intend to pass the book on to family and friends. It is necessary reading for anyone interested in helping the helpless addict. Rating: 4 / 5 I think the book informs the reader very well but doesn’t give enough information on how to obtain the medical treatment recommended, i.e., the medicine. Where can you find a Doctor that will prescribe the medicine referred to in the book? I intend to pass the book on to family and friends. It is necessary reading for anyone interested in helping the helpless addict.
Rating: 4 / 5

]]> By: Richard M. Carrillo http://www.johnniewalkersuperseries.com/healing-the-addicted-brain-the-revolutionary-science-based-alcoholism-and-addiction-recovery-program/comment-page-1#comment-239 Richard M. Carrillo Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:14:11 +0000 http://www.johnniewalkersuperseries.com/healing-the-addicted-brain-the-revolutionary-science-based-alcoholism-and-addiction-recovery-program#comment-239 Let go of outmoded addiction recovery models. Dr. Urshel's "Healing The Addicted Brain" takes a new medical approach to this complex subject. Particularly helpful are the numerous tools and worksheets provided to aid the addict toward successful recovery. Rating: 5 / 5 Let go of outmoded addiction recovery models. Dr. Urshel’s “Healing The Addicted Brain” takes a new medical approach to this complex subject. Particularly helpful are the numerous tools and worksheets provided to aid the addict toward successful recovery.
Rating: 5 / 5

]]> By: Missouri Mom http://www.johnniewalkersuperseries.com/healing-the-addicted-brain-the-revolutionary-science-based-alcoholism-and-addiction-recovery-program/comment-page-1#comment-238 Missouri Mom Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:26:06 +0000 http://www.johnniewalkersuperseries.com/healing-the-addicted-brain-the-revolutionary-science-based-alcoholism-and-addiction-recovery-program#comment-238 Dear Dr. Urschel, I found the only new information in your book to be about the course of new medications for the addicted and how those medications can aid in recovery. However, I know of no doctors that a person without insurance can go to and get treated with these wonderful breakthrough tools. It appears as though the only place to go for a complete treatment program is your private pay program, and it cost $37,000. And even though you have a "Donate" site on your page that is supposed to fund scholarships, no one has donated. Perhaps maybe you should be the first one, Dr. Urschel. After all, your book did cost me about $15.99, plus tax, plus shipping. <br /> Rating: 1 / 5 Dear Dr. Urschel, I found the only new information in your book to be about the course of new medications for the addicted and how those medications can aid in recovery. However, I know of no doctors that a person without insurance can go to and get treated with these wonderful breakthrough tools. It appears as though the only place to go for a complete treatment program is your private pay program, and it cost $37,000. And even though you have a “Donate” site on your page that is supposed to fund scholarships, no one has donated. Perhaps maybe you should be the first one, Dr. Urschel. After all, your book did cost me about $15.99, plus tax, plus shipping.

Rating: 1 / 5

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