MasiMax Creates "Science of Addiction" Booklet for National Institute on Drug Abuse

Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction was unveiled on February 13, 2007, by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a component of the National Institutes of Health. The 30-page full-color booklet, written and designed with support from publication specialists with MasiMax Resources, Inc., explains in layman's terms how science has revolutionized the understanding of drug addiction as a brain disease that affects behavior. NIDA hopes this new publication will help reduce stigma against addictive disorders.

"We're proud to have played a role in the development of this publication, which will be an important source of information for people who want to learn more about drug abuse and addiction," says Marilyn Massey-Ball, MasiMax president and CEO. "We commend the project staff for their excellent work in support of this signature piece on addiction."

The publication was announced at a press briefing for the upcoming HBO documentary called Addiction, to air Thursday, March 15, from 9:00 to 10:30 p.m. ET/PT. The 90-minute documentary is aimed at helping Americans understand addiction as a treatable brain disease and at spotlighting new medical advancements.

The publications contract team included publications manager Sue Camaione, senior science writer Bob Mathias, senior editor/deputy team leader Patrice Pettinato, and graphic designer Tamara Lee. These publication specialists contributed their expertise to the successful development, design, and production of this lay publication, in support of NIDA's outreach to the general public. MasiMax is currently fulfilling tasks under its second 5-year contract award with the Institute under the leadership of the NIDA Communications project director Trina Stevens.

"The Science of Addiction" discusses why people take drugs, why some people become addicted while others do not, how drugs work in the brain, and how addiction can be prevented and treated. It points out that just as with other chronic diseases—such as diabetes, asthma, and heart disease—addiction can be managed successfully. The booklet also further explains that relapse is not a signal of treatment failure; rather, it indicates that treatment should be reinstated or adjusted to help the addict fully recover. Treatment helps to counteract addiction's powerful disruptive effects and helps people regain control of their lives.

People of all ages suffer the harmful consequences of drug abuse and addiction. Abuse and addiction to alcohol, nicotine, and illegal substances cost Americans upwards of half a trillion dollars a year, considering their combined medical, economic, criminal, and social impact. In addition, abuse of illicit drugs and alcohol contributes to the deaths of more than 100,000 Americans every year, while tobacco is linked to an estimated 440,000 deaths.

The HBO documentary was produced in partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, NIDA, and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. It will explore many elements of drug and alcohol addiction through the eyes of those who are addicted and those of the scientific experts working to better understand and treat this devastating disease.

A PDF copy of "The Science of Addiction" can be downloaded from the NIDA Web site at http://drugabuse.gov/scienceofaddiction.