Hijacking the Brain: How Drug and Alcohol Addiction Hijacks our Brains - The Science Behind Twelve-Step Recovery

Hijacking the Brain provides the first-ever scientific explanation for the success of Twelve-Step programs. Hijacking the Brain examines data provided by recent rapid growth in the fields of neuroscience, neuroimaging, psychology, sociobiology and interpersonal neurobiology that have given us new, dramatic insights into the neural and hormonal correlates of stress and addiction, cognitive decline with addiction, as well as for the relative success of Twelve-Step Programs of recovery. Addiction is recognized by experts as an organic brain disease, and most experts promote Twelve-Step programs (AA, NA, CA, etc) which invoke a 'spiritual solution' for recovery. To date, no one has described "why" these programs work. 'Hijack' tells us why. In 'Hijack' the role of 'working The Steps' for reducing stress and becoming emotionally centered is discussed in depth. A full chapter is devoted to the rewarding and comforting physiology of meditation and the spiritual experience. The author uses examples from animal sociobiology, as well as sophisticated human brain-imaging studies, to demonstrate that empathic socialization and altruism are instinctive and 'naturally rewarding' and, along with Step Work, act as a substitute for the 'synthetic rewards' of drugs of abuse. 'Hijack' does not challenge the Steps or the Traditions of Twelve-Step programs. The sole intention of Hijacking the Brain is to 'connect the dots' between an 'organic brain disease' and a 'spiritual solution' with sound physical, scientific evidence. Avoiding strict scientific language as much as possible, 'Hijack' is written for the layperson and abundantly illustrated.

Louis Teresi, M.D. received his B.A. in biology from Harvard University, graduating Magna cum Laude with Highest Honors in Biology and elected to Harvard's exclusive Alpha Chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. He earned his M.D. from Harvard Medical School, where he completed an Honors Concentration in Neuroscience. Trained in Diagnostic Radiology and Neuroradiology at the UCLA Medical Center, Dr. Teresi is former Chief of Neuroradiology, MRI Director and Fellowship Instructor at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center in California, and currently is Medical Director of Neuro-MSK MR Experts, Inc. in Newport Beach, California. In over 24 years of practice, Dr. Teresi has authored numerous peer-reviewed papers, book chapters, review articles and a popular textbook in the field of Neuroradiology, winning 14 national and international awards for his research. Dr. Teresi was rated one of America's Top Radiologists in 2002, 2003 and 2007, and was elected to the coveted position of Senior Member of the American Society of Neuroradiology. Dr. Teresi is also a grateful recovering alcoholic and member of Alcoholics Anonymous. He is a member of the California Society of Addiction Medicine, American Society of Addiction Medicine, and Treasurer-Elect of International Doctors of Alcoholics Anonymous.