Social Work with Substance Users
- Anna Nelson - National Addiction Workforce Development Centre, New Zealand
Social Work Theory and Practice
This engaging and comprehensive book explores social work with problematic substance use. Anna Nelson offers social workers new insight on the subject, helping students to understand the issue as it affects service users across a range of social work practice settings. Written from both an anti-discriminatory and evidence-based perspective the text highlights successful responses to the issues surrounding problematic substance use, so that students and social workers can achieve best practice.
The book provides a detailed understanding of:
- Historical and current policy relating to prohibition, drug use and problematic substance use
- A range of substances and their potential effects on service users
- Key models of practice including screening and assessment, brief intervention, motivation approaches and relapse prevention
- The particular issues and special needs of specific service user groups who may be experiencing problematic substance use
Considering the effects of problematic substance use across a wide range of service-user groups, the book takes a reflective approach to this widely misunderstood area. Each chapter includes reflective exercises and examples of further reading challenging students to critically reflect on their practice, and increase their awareness in the area.
Social Work Practice with Substance Users will be essential reading for all social work students, particularly those taking courses in problematic substance use and addiction. It will also be useful for qualified social workers and for students taking related courses across the health and social care field.
Written in clear, accessible language, this excellent book will be useful for students and practitioners.' - Rachel Fyson, Centre for Social Work, University of Nottingham
'Social workers are often seen to fail substance users despite extensive evidence on the scale and impact of these issues on most of those they work with. Nelson's comprehensive and detailed text is a timely and welcome contribution to an area of practice where there is surprisingly little research and literature. Written by someone with substantial policy knowledge and practice expertise in the field, her approach will help to inspire social workers confidence by drawing on common discourses about substance users and working to embed a partnership approach. Highly recommended for both pre- and post qualified practitioners!' - Trish Hafford-Letchfield, Teaching fellow, Interprofessional Learning, Middlesex University
'This book makes a valuable contribution to the reality that most social workers in New Zealand face the impact of substance abuse on clients and their whanau.'
Practical and relevant
This is a very clear and thoroughly accessible text that is invaluable for students' understanding of this topic. I have recommended this book to students at all levels of the programme and included it on reading lists for modules I teach.
An easy to comprehend writing style that will appeal to students. Particularly useful section on 'Concepts and models'.
Excels in its wide-ranging coverage on the history, causes, effects of drugs and how we can deal with the problem.
A detailed, well written book that focuses on the theory and practice link
Text is accessible and informative and provides a clear picture of the issues faced for substance users. It provides a basic level of information and guidance for our students about what is involved when working in the field of substance use, and has been a helpful source for this course.
This text is a greatly needed resource in social work practice and education. It provides both general and population-specific analysis of substance use in an open, easy-to-read and engaging format. Importantly, it provides information about techniques and theoretical approaches which help equip the student or graduate social worker to work in an informed manner in this area.
Good and clear read
Sage College Publishing
