He explains many research projects that have helped to establish structural and functional differences between drug-addicted and normal brains at the molecular and cellular levels. In the following edited transcript of an interview with Senior Editor Steve Bunk, Leshner elaborates on some of these points. Addiction is a bio-behavioral disorder, declares NIDA's Alan Leshner. I would say each of them carry very different baggage.
Politicians seem to be among the easiest.
The general public carries strong beliefs. The medical profession seems to be tied to their ideologies about the efficacy of treatment. They think treatment is not quite possible, and therefore it's not real. But, of course, treatment is possible and it is real. The easiest group to impact are criminal justice people.