Working with Substance Users

A lucid and comprehensive introduction to substance use and dependence which will define undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the field for some time to come' - Ian Paylor, Senior Lecturer in Social Work, Lancaster University, UK 'This broad-ranging text provides valuable insights into effective ways of working with people who use drugs' - Peter Higgs, National Drug Research Institute, Curtin University, AUSTRALIA 'A treasure trove of useful advice and insights' - Neil McKeganey, Director of the Centre for Drug Misuse Research, UK

This is a must-have text for those working with people with substance problems. By inviting the reader to explore the application of different interventions in practice, it acts as an accessible and comprehensive guide to practice when working with substance users and their close ones.Social care and health professionals encounter people with drug and alcohol problems on a daily basis, but many feel ill-equipped to respond. Although people working across different professions will approach substance users from various perspectives, the knowledge and skills needed to intervene effectively are the same for all.

With a strong emphasis on the core skills needed for practice, this up-to-date and accessible text provides a complete guide to working with substance users and their relatives. It covers the nature of problematic use and introduces theories as to why people experience substance problems and why people change. The book moves on to examine a number of effective interventions and how they can be applied, including assessment and care planning, pharmacological treatments and cognitive behavioural therapy. Distinctively, in addition to chapters on working with specific groups such as adolescents and involuntary service users, it also addresses the implications of parental problems for children and explores ways of helping adults affected by a relative's substance use.

Supported throughout by case examples and activities to help apply theories and concepts to practice, this comprehensive text equips readers with the knowledge and skills needed to work with substance users.