dependence and, second, to inform about prevention, harm minimiza tion, treatment and control, in order that professionals can identify, assess and work with different kinds of drug misusers. It also aims to give information about the wide range of multidisciplinary and special ist professionals who can contribute in this field. BACKGROUND The ancient Greek word for drug has three meanings: a cure or remedy, a poison and a magical charm. This book will consider these meanings in the modern sense: drugs as medication and as a solution to problems; drugs as dangerous to health; and drugs as magical and hedonistic. In the recent past, policy and practice guidelines have often been based on a misunderstanding of the diversity and complexity of drug misuse. Professionals have confused different types of drug misuse and/ or attempted to compress all types into one narrowly defined cate gory, i.e. all drugs are good or bad. This is the first mistake: it is prefer able to go right back to the ancient Greeks and try to understand the range of different effects of drugs on different people. Practitioners first of all need to understand the complexity of drug misuse in order to develop realistic concepts and construct useful cate gories for assessment. After this, they are in a position to identify clearly the main risks and problems in the different categories and so to deter mine which type of intervention is most appropriate.

This comprehensive textbook provides an accessible and skills-oriented introduction to alcohol and substance misuse for healthcare students and practitioners new to the field. Divided into five parts, this text explores: 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 psychoactive substances and the problems associated with them. An exploration of the impact of psychoactive substances on groups, such as culturally and linguistically diverse communities, 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, the community, and hospitals. A framework for assessment, care planning, harm reduction approaches, dealing with overdose, intoxication and withdrawals, and psychological and pharmacological interventions. This new edition is fully updated and includes expanded coverage of performance-enhancing drugs, e-cigarettes, cannabis use, gender disparities in substance use and treatment, public health approaches to substance use, and screening tools for alcohol misuse. Alcohol and Drug Misuse is enhanced with activities and learning outcomes throughout. It is essential reading for nursing, healthcare, and social work students taking substance misuse modules, as well as related post-registration/qualification courses for health and social care professionals.

Responding to Drug Misuse provides a unique insight into the current shape of the drugs treatment system in England. Reporting findings from research linked to the government's ten year drugs strategy Tackling Drugs to Build a Better Britain, the book places these in the context of policy, practice, and service development. It goes on to discuss the implications of these findings for the government’s new strategy Drugs: Protecting Families and Communities. Throughout the book contributors reflect on current debates on drug strategies and social policy and consider the relevance of the findings for policy and practice. Topics discussed include: recent trends in drug policy and how these link to crime responses of dedicated drug treatment services service users' perceptions and suggestions for improvement the impact of drug misuse on children, families and communities. This timely addition to the literature on drug misuse will be essential for substance use practitioners, including social workers, psychiatrists, psychologists and nurses. It will also supply helpful guidance for health and social care commissioners and policy providers.

Combines highly practical approach with strong research base to provide comprehensive guide to treatment and service provision.

Drug misuse is a major challenge for health professionals in the 21st century, and community pharmacy holds a key place in the management of prescribed medication, the provision of health education and promotion messages to drug users. Two decades ago there would have been no need for a book to describe such the role of community pharmacy; however, since more people are injecting drugs now and HIV is on the rise, community pharmacists have found their services in higher demand. The quality practice of tomorrow hinges on trained and competent practitioners working in a variety of community pharmacy settings. Drug Misuse and Community Pharmacy explains the historical, research and practical aspects. Experts use a practical and evidence-based approach to educate students of pharmacy, pre-registration pharmacists, community pharmacists working with drug users and anyone involved in developing and managing primary healthcare for drug misusers.