Substance Abuse Counseling: Theory and Practice

by Patricia Stevens, Robert Leo Smith

This book provides information regarding the enormity of substance abuse problems in the population, how to assess the problems, and how to treat individuals and families who seek assistance. It educates beginning clinicians and counselors about substance abuse by guiding them through the process of working with substance-abuse clients. Written in an understandable, and easy-to-grasp manner, it covers the basics of substance use and abuse—Terminology, physiology, psychokinetics, and psychodynamics. Case histories are used in selected chapters to help readers integrate the various approaches by offering a sample of the types of issues presented when working with this population. An emphasis on special populations includes minority populations, women, elderly, special needs groups, and children/youth. For substance abuse counselors seeking information on the stages of counseling—from assessment and diagnosis through relapse prevention.

Genres: Counselling, Psychology, Textbooks, Nonfiction, School

364 pages, Paperback

First published May 8, 2000

Reviews

[🌺 Hannah 🌺 (very busy) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book for school but I enjoyed it (as much as someone can enjoy a textbook 😂)

Very educational for those in the social work field and related fields! Also provides great viewpoints and information on addiction.

[Ashley Dufault · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book with a casual-informative tone. This is much appreciated by busy graduate students with little tolerance for academic posturing. Little fluff. My only disappointment was that little information about non-substance addiction disorders was included.

[holden · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is easily one of the worst textbooks I've ever read. Poorly organized, repetitive and dull, which makes it very difficult to target which pieces of information are important. I feel like I got very little out of this.

[Rhonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a fine introduction to substance use and misuse basics.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

What's with the giant pill on the cover? This has a pretty good overview of different treatment programs and methods, how to write a treatment plan, info on theories and assessment. It's a bit light on the theory side.

[Melissa Lee-Tammeus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this book and will keep it forever. A must have if you will be working with those with substance abuse issues. Gives great guidance on theory of numerous techniques as well as great overviews of such things as genetics, moralistic. and behavioral workings of substance addiction.

[Marci Platt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for a textbook!

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a good introductory text for persons with no background in substance abuse counseling, but I found it a little too rudimentary for graduate-level work.

[Deborah Tanner]

It is a textbook, but not difficult to read