Clinical manual for treatment of alcoholism and addictions

The "Clinical Manual for Treatment of Alcoholism and Addictions" provides a concise overview of addiction treatment issues relevant to physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, alcohol and drug counselors, and rehabilitation therapists who are involved in the care of patients with substance use disorders.
Drawing from their extensive experience in treating addictions in both inpatient and outpatient settings, the authors have assembled a wealth of clinical information condensed into one easy-to-read guide. The manual:
* Presents an overview of the genetics, biological markers, and pathophysiology of addiction.
* Covers specific addictive substances in detail - including epidemiology, presentation, and diagnosis.
* Highlights underlying issues related to each substance and includes sections on polysubstance abuse and psychiatric comorbidity.
* Touches on various evaluation and assessment tools
* Reviews psychosocial and pharmacological treatment modalities.
Throughout the book, complex material is made accessible through the generous use of tables and charts, and key points summarize the important take-away points for each chapter In addition, the manual offers extensive coverage of many different aspects of addiction psychiatry:
* Specific patient populations, such as children and adolescents, seniors, mentally and physically handicapped persons, the chronically ill, and the homeless;
* Various treatment settings, such as general hospitals, outpatient medical settings, and emergency departments;
* Behavioral addictions, such as pathological gambling, kleptomania, and compulsive buying;
* Violence, crime, and suicidal behavior.
With their vast impact on our culture and society, substance use disorders may well become one of the main challenges for psychiatry in the twenty-first century. Effective approaches to substance use disorders require treatment combinations tailored specifically to each individual. The "Clinical Manual for Treatment of Alcoholism and Addictions" is an invaluable tool for informing clinicians about the wide array of treatment options available to help their patients who struggle with substance abuse problems. [Editor's abstract]