Includes bibliographical references (p. 184-185) and index.

Is addiction a serious problem? The Internet is fueling addictions / Brian McCormick -- The threat of Internet addiction is exaggerated / jacob Sullum -- Nicotine addiction harms society / National Institute on Drug Abuse -- The addictive properties of nicotine are unproven / Dale M. Atrens -- Compulsive gambling is a national concern / Tom Grey -- The dangers of compulsive gambling are exaggerated / Steve Chapman. What factors contribute to addiction? Addiciton is a brain disease / Alan I. Leshner -- Addiction is not a disease / Jeffrey A. Schaler -- Marijuana is a gateway to other addictive drugs / Kenneth M. Sunamoto -- Marijuana is not a gateway to other addictive drugs / Mitch Earleywine -- Genetic factors contribute to addiction / Ernest P. Noble -- Genetic and environmental factors contribute to addiction / Judy Shepps Battle. What are the most effective treatment for addiction? Twelve-step programs are an effective treatment for addiction / Krista Conger -- Twelve-step programs are inadequate to treat addiction / Maia Szalavitz -- Spirituality can help those trying to recover from addiction / National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse -- The importance of spirituality in addiction recovery is exaggerated / Kevin Courcey -- Methadone maintenance is an effective treatment for heroin addiction / Sharon Stancliff -- Methadone maintenance programs are abused by heroin addicts / I.E. Hawksworth -- some problem drinkers can drink in moderation / Sally L. Satel -- Problem drinkers cannot drink in moderation / Mike Harden. How should the government deal with addiction? Internet gambling should be banned / Richard Blumenthal -- Internet gambling should not be banned / Fred E. Foldvary -- Drug laws decrease addiction / John P. Walters -- Drug laws increase addiction / Adam Gifford -- Regulating alcohol advertising will reduce alcohol abuse / Jean Kilbourne -- Regulating alcohol advertising will not reduce alcohol abuse / Advertising Association