Alcohol and Drug Misuse

The misuse of nicotine, alcohol, prescribed medications, over-the-counter drugs and illicit psychoactive substances have increased dramatically, resulting in health and socio-economic problems - to which various health care professionals need to recognise and respond. This text presents an introduction to drug and alcohol misuse. During recent years, the misuse of nicotine, alcohol, prescribed medications, over-the-counter drugs and illicit psychoactive substances have increased dramatically, resulting in health and socio-economic problems - to which every health care professional will need to recognise and respond.Written by an experienced author and lecturer, this five part text presents an introduction to drug and alcohol misuse and provides: the context of alcohol and drug misuse, and the nature and theories of addiction, including a historical overview and policy initiatives in contemporary society; 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; 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 approach, dealing with overdose, intoxication and withdrawals, psychological and pharmacological interventions; and, an accessible and skills-oriented approach to assist students and practitioners in dealing with drugs and alcohol misuse. Alcohol and Drug Misuse takes into account current policy initiatives and practice for substance use and misuse and includes a range of pedagogical features to enhance learning. It is essential reading for nursing and health students taking substance misuse modules, as well as related CPD courses for health care professionals.