Introduction to Chemical Dependency Counseling (Library of Substance Abuse Treatment) - Hardcover

Levin, Jerome D.; Culkin, Joseph; Perrotto, Richard S.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0765702894 ISBN 13: 9780765702890

Publisher: Jason Aronson Publishers, 2001

Synopsis

This book is a basic resource of knowledge about alcoholism and drug addiction. The authors cover the scientific and clinical aspects of chemical dependency in a balanced way with case vignettes to illustrate clinical issues. The book is suitable for a number of student needs. Students preparing for the Certified Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) examination will find topics discussed that are drawn from the certification examination requirements. The text can stand as a main source for college-level courses in addictions or chemical dependancy in the mental health health programs, and can be used as a college or stand-alone introduction to chemical dependancy and counseling. Psychologists, social workers, clergy, and other professional counselors who wish to supplement their knowledge about chemical dependancy will find this text serves as a valuable reference. After an introduction to the general problems of substance abuse counseling, the authors delineate the different types of drugs and their effects, organize the relevant information used in the assessment and diagnosis of addictions, integrate knowledge of human development with causes of dependancy and addiction, and explore the impact of addiction on health and the family. They then focus on the principles of chemical abuse counseling, including treatment planning, the different schools of counseling, how to understand and manage relapse, and special populations. They conclude with ethical considerations involved in treating chemical abusers. The authors believe that chemical dependency counseling is the only profession that treats substance abuse as a primary disorder and disease with its own causes, course, progression and complication. Chemical dependency counseling must deal with and absorb a complex and intriguing web of fact and theory drawn from sciences, medicine, and other fields. But the practical side of chemical dependency counseling remains an art and a science. This book offers a whole set of specific techniques

About this title

Review

As the practice of substance abuse counseling becomes increasingly professionalized with a scientifically grounded base, there is a need for a textbook of high quality. This current text provides a sophisticated presentation of the science and practice of treatment, complemented by the wisdom of clinical experience. Those who study it will be well prepared to embark on their work in clinical care, and those in practice can keep it on hand as a valued reference.--Marc Galanter, M.D., New York University

Drs. Levin, Culkin, and Perrotto are to be commended for writing a clear, straightforward introduction to the very complex, multidisciplinary field of chemical dependency counseling. This book is broad and comprehensive in scope, combing the findings of current scientific research with an evolutionary view of significant theories relating to addiction. The design of the book is 'learner-centered, ' making it an excellent choice for college-level introductory courses on the topic. Student learning is targeted in each chapter by an initial statement of learning objectives, while chapters conclude with a summary of the central ideas covered. The text makes frequent and effective use of citations, and the extensive bibliography of current and historically significant work in the field will stimulate student research. This introductory text is so comprehensive that it will become a valued resource to be used again and again by students as they move through the various courses comprising their curriculum.--Dan Gilhooley

This book is an extremely comprehensive textbook on abstinence-oriented chemical dependency treatment that will serve as a wonderful introduction to the field for students and as a reference for the more experienced mental health clinician. The authors present material on all the important topics in the field of chemical dependency counseling, and discuss cutting edge work on the motivational stages of change, motivational enhancement therapy for clients not prepared to attempt abstinence, and the importance of matching the intervention to the client's motivational state. Not only is this book impressive in its ability to convey the information that clinicians need for working in this challenging area, it is equally able to transmit the authors' excitement and love for the work and their appreciation of its complexity and intellectual and emotional challenges.--Andrew Tartarsky PhD, clinical psychologist in private practice

About the Author

Jerome D. Levin, Ph.D., is director of the Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Training Program at the New School University in Manhattan, where he also serves both on the humanities department faculty, and as co-director of the joint masters program in psychology and substance abuse treatment. Joseph Culkin, Ph.D., is professor of psychology in the Department of Social Sciences of Queensborough Community College/The City University of New York. Richard S. Perrotto, Ph.D., is professor of psychology in the Department of Social Sciences at Queensborough Community College/The City University of New York, where he has taught since 1978.

Edition details

• Publisher: Jason Aronson Publishers
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0765702894
• ISBN 13: 9780765702890
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 391