Designed for students and professionals who wish to gain an authoritative, research-based knowledge of a variety of addictions.

"Addictions" is designed for students and professionals who wish to gain an authoritative, research-based knowledge of a variety of addictions. It covers issues such as diagnosis, epidemiology, psychological and biological models and treatments and draws on the research of The National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, Sydney, Australia, and on a variety of international surveys. The book is written by experts in the field of drug and alcohol research and takes into account a variety of theories including neuroscientific, psychological, behavioural, personality and rational choice. Providing an accessible introduction to this field, this book includes material on: the nature of addiction and who becomes addicted; the health consequences of alcohol and other drug dependence; and theories and causes of addiction.

The Nature of Addiction - What Is a Drug? Effects of Drugs.
What Causes Problems With Alcohol and Other Drugs. Diagnosing Problems. Diagnosing Abuse. Diagnosing Dependence. Cultural Factors and Attitudes to Drugs. Summary. Who Becomes Addicted? Epidemiology. The US Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study. The US National Comorbidity Survey. The UK Mental Health Survey. The Australian National Survey of Mental Health and Well-being. Summary. The Health Consequences of Alcohol and Other Drug Dependence. Alcohol-related Mortality and Morbidity. Tobacco-related Mortality and Morbidity. Illicit Drug-related Mortality and Morbidity. Adverse Health and Psychological Effects of Cannabis, Amphetamine, Cocaine and Heroin Use. Controversies on the Positive Effects of Alcohol and Cannabis. Summary. Theories of Addiction. Causes and Maintenance of Addiction - Overview. Theories of Addiction. Neuroscientific Theories. Dopamine Reward System. Endogenous Opioid System. Biological Factors. Genetic Factors. Neuroadaptation. Psychological Theories. Behavioural Theories. Cognitive Theories. Personality Theories. Rational Choice Theories. Contextual Factors. Summary. Alcohol - Introduction. Assessment. Interventions. Public Health Interventions. Brief Interventions. Treatment Goal. Detoxification. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
Pharmacotherapies. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. Family and Marital Therapy. Summary. Nicotine - Introduction. Assessment. Interventions. Nicotine Replacement Therapy. Antidepressant Drugs. Other Therapies: Summary. Cannabis - Introduction.
Assessment. Interventions. Psychological Interventions. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Cannabis Dependence. The Relapse Prevention Model. Summary. Opiates - Introduction. Assessment. Interventions. Detoxification. Drug-free Treatment Approaches. Pharmacotherapies. Alternative Maintenance Treatments. Summary. Psychostimulants. Amphetamines and Cocaine - Introduction. Assessment. Interventions. Detoxification. Pharmacotherapies. Cognitive Behavioural Techniques. Summary. Addictions: The Highs and Lows.