This paper is a review and examination of neurobiological processes related to substance dependence, anticipation and craving, and the processes involved in substance withdrawal and treatment. For the most part, the paper focuses on stimulants (amphetamine, cocaine) and depressants (alcohol, benzodiazepines, GHB), and very little space is devoted specifically to ecstasy. The authors correctly identify MDMA as a serotonin and dopamine releaser, but fail to note MDMA also acts as a norepinephrine releaser. Studies of neurotoxicity in animals and humans are briefly described, and attempts to detect neurotoxicity are briefly critiqued for methodological flaws. The authors indicate that fluoxetine (Prozac) might be neuroprotective, but do not refer to either case reports in humans (e.g. McCann et al. 1993; Stein and Rink 1999) or studies in humans (Liechti et al. 2000a; 2000b) describing the effects of combining an SSRI with MDMA. In a chart within the paper, SSRIs like Prozac are categorized as potential treatments for MDMA dependence, but the authors fail to present any evidence in support of this claim. The paper is a general review addressing models of substance dependence and treatment, and should not be considered a review of treatment for specific types of drug dependence.