Understanding Drugs of Abuse: The Processes of Addiction, Treatment, and Recovery

by Mim J. Landry

Book Overview

- What is addiction?- How do you know if someone is addicted?- Are some people more prone to addiction than others?- Are some drugs more addictive than others?- How can you help someone who doesn't want help?

Understanding Drugs of Abuse is designed to bring the everyday reader face-to-face with drugs of abuse and addiction. Through frank, no-nonsense explanations of the stimulants, depressants, psychedelics, and inhalants, this accessible...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0880485337
• ISBN13: 9780880485333
• Release Date: January 1994
• Publisher: American Psychiatric Association Publishing
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 1.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.3" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

From the Author

I wrote this book for two broad audiences and purposes. First, it is intended to provide useful information to lay but informed readers who want to understand the drugs of abuse and the addiction and treatment processes. Second, it can be used as a textbook in a university addiction studies program and as a reference guide to the drugs of abuse and the processes of addiction, treatment, and recovery. One of the things that fueled my interest to write the book is the fact that there are many poorly-researched and highly-opinionated books on substance abuse-related issues. I made an intense effort to ensure that this book was research-based, heavily referenced, objective, and helpful. The first half of the book focuses on the drugs of abuse, how they work, and how they affect biological, psychological, and social functioning. It was written in part to answer such frequently-asked questions as "How does this drug work?" and "Is this drug addictive?" The second half of the book provides a good description of the addiction process, and walks the reader through the treatment and recovery processes. It also provides additional attention to such issues as individuals with coexisting psychiatric and substance use disorders, genetics and alcoholism, and adolescent addiction. Throughout, this book helps the reader to understand that addiction, treatment, recovery, and even relapse are all dynamic biopsychosocial processes.