Clinical Work with Substance-Abusing Clients

Mental health and human services clinicians regularly encounter the myriad problems spawned by substance abuse - from the infant born to a woman addicted to crack cocaine to the elderly alcoholic who needs nursing home care. Until now, they have lacked a basic hands-on text to help them deal with the issues that arise with substance abusers and their families. With clinical expertise born of vast experience, the authors in this volume fill that need by comprehensively covering how to assess and treat clients with drug and alcohol problems and how to work with their families. Presenting approaches that have been shown to be effective, this uniquely practical resource includes models for replication in a variety of clinical settings. Divided into five sections for easy reference, the book first addresses both the effects of substance abuse on the individual and the basic practice issues involved in clinical treatment. Addressing site-specific assessment and intervention, chapters in the second section describe approaches for working in medical and psychiatric facilities, private practice, and the workplace. Next, clinical work in specialized substance abuse facilities such as those focusing on intervention, alcoholism treatment, methadone maintenance, and the utilization of 12-step programs is covered. A section is devoted to working with families of substance abusers including partners and children. The final section deals with treatment issues specific to such populations as adolescents, women, the homeless, cocaine and other stimulant abusers, those with borderline personality disorders, and drug abusers with AIDS. Clinical Work with Substance-Abusing Clients is a complete resourcethat will be valued by a wide array of professionals including social workers, addiction counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, and others working in the health and human services. It also serves as an ideal text for students seeking an introduction to working with substance-abusing clients.