Frankenburg (psychiatry, Boston Univ. Sch. of Medicine) compiles essays on addiction to alcohol, cannabis, opioids, and other substances, with a chapter devoted to gambling. Contributors are experts in the field who generally take a neurobiological disease theory approach rather than viewing substance abuse as a choice, although they consider personality and environmental factors, too. Readers will learn about symptoms, causes, effects, current research, and treatments, and each entry is capped by a bibliography. Case studies describe individuals of a variety of ages and income levels and acknowledge the complexity of these issues. VERDICT This supportive and authoritative reference will be of solid use to students, beginning researchers, and family members of addicts looking for broad guidance.