Alcohol and Drug Misuse: A Guide for Health and Social Care Professionals

Written by an experienced author, lecturer and practitioner, this comprehensive textbook provides an introduction to drug and alcohol misuse. It presents:

• the context of alcohol and drug misuse, and the nature and theories of addiction, including a historical overview and policy initiatives in contemporary society
• an overview of the problems associated with psychoactive substances and their impact on groups such as black and minority ethnic people, young people, women, older people and the homeless
• an understanding of the generic role responses to substance misuse in a variety of different settings and contexts, including primary care, community and hospitals
• a framework for assessment, care planning, harm reduction approaches, dealing with overdose, intoxication and withdrawals, psychological and pharmacological interventions
• an accessible and skills-oriented approach to assist students and practitioners in dealing with drug and alcohol misuse.

This new edition is fully updated and includes new material on: evidence-based pharmacological interventions
recent global strategies in alcohol and drug
dual diagnosis and women
shisha smoking
and current statistics on prevalence of drug and alcohol misuse

Alcohol and Drug Misuse takes into account current policy and practice for substance use and misuse and includes a range of pedagogical features to enhance learning. It is essential reading for nursing, health and social work students taking substance misuse modules, as well as related CPD courses for health and social care professionals.