This two volume set contains frank and factual information about symptoms, causes, effects, prevention, and treatment of substance abuse—alcohol, nicotine, and drugs—and of behavioral addictions such as eating disorders, pathological gambling, and compulsive sexual activity. Including the most up-to-date research, the addiction entries are based largely on criteria established by the American Psychiatric Association in its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.Tracing the history of the debate over whether addiction is a choice or a disease, the volumes explain how genetic and biological findings support the disease concept while lifestyle choices affect the course of the disease. Graphics and discussions of the brain structures that support this self-reinforcing mechanism illustrate why treatments that obstruct the pathway are showing such promise. The 200 entries in this set by science writer Hollen ( The Reproductive System ) "discuss symptoms, causes, prevalence, prevention, and treatment as well as associated terms such as compulsion, tolerance, denial, and withdrawal," and 200 more terms appear as cross-references. In addition to articles describing particular drugs, dependencies, and disorders, figures such as Bill W., Carrie Nation, and Betty Ford are also profiled. Entries and cross-references are listed in alphabetical order, with in-text cross-references to other entries in bold for ease of use. The text is free of jargon and accessible to general adult readers. The main drawback is the set's price, which is prohibitively high for the amount of content offered. BOTTOM LINE Facts On File's slightly older The Encyclopedia of Addictions and Addictive Behavior (2005) contains virtually the same information at less than half the price and is better organized; statistics, organizations, and relevant terminology are included with the entry, thus eliminating the need to flip to an appendix. While this work can be recommended for public and academic libraries, purchasers may find the Facts On File work a more affordable choice. [Available electronically via Greenwood Digital Collection.]—Amanda K. Sprochi, Univ. of Missouri, Columbia Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Kathryn H. Hollen is a science writer who has worked extensively with the National Institutes of Health, especially the National Cancer Institute, as well as many other organizations devoted to the life sciences. She is the author of The Reproductive System , a volume of the Human Body Systems series published by Greenwood Press in 2004, and has written numerous articles reporting on oncology-related events in the Washington area.