Understanding and Working with Substance Misusers
- Aaron Pycroft - University of Portsmouth, UK
Drugs & Behavior
"Building on the principles of motivational interviewing and a whole systems approach, Aaron Pycroft masterfully addresses the complexity of substance misuse. The inclusion of up-to-date neurological research enhances our understanding of the nature of addiction as a multi modal phenomenon. Educators in the helping professions and addiction experts will find Understanding and Working with Substance Misusers a highly informative and thought-provoking resource. Uniquely, this text is enhanced by the cross fertilization of addiction concepts and evidence-based research from both sides of the Atlantic."
—Katherine van Wormer, University of Northern Iowa
The book argues that the best way to understand addictions is as examples of "complex self organizing systems", which comprise many interacting component parts. In so doing, it addresses the problem of service users presenting with multiple needs (including poly drug use, mental health problems, criminal behavior, unemployment and relationship difficulties) and the challenges that this poses for policy makers, services commissioners and practitioners alike.
This book fills the need for a text which makes the complex issues surrounding substance misuse accessible to both students and practitioners. As such, it fosters a multidisciplinary and critically reflective approach to policy and practice.
This is an excellent text as it is UK specific and also up to date. The easy-to-read style makes it accessible to both students and tutors, and we have adopted this book as a core text on our Degree in Addictions Counselling Course. Highly recommended.
A really good introductory text, clear accessible and engaging.
This is a useful text for this cohort of students as they work with people with substance misuse
This book offers a good insight into the myriad issues involved in working with substance misusers.
Not sepecific for the units i teach on
This is a general text book that reiterates many of the basic and ongoing issues relative to understanding the past and current thinking in the Drug and Alcohol field. Whilst dissapointing in the sense that this might be seen as a lost opportunity to reconsider contemporary thinking amongst practitioners it does bring the newcomer to the field an insight to the abstinence v controlled use stance, hence I would recommend it to my students on that basis.
This is a really useful book that gives a great insight into working with substance misusers. Not essential reading as my students are midwives and therefore not all the content is relevant to their practice
This text explore the evidence to aid understanding and working with drug users.
I am going to use it as an example of using evidence to support care delivery with this group.
An excellent new book about substance abuse issues. It covers the legal framework and brings the issues up to date, with all the latest theories and ideas. An excellent addition to our library.
Not core but useful background reading for all students working in primary care
Sage College Publishing
