From inhalants and alcohol to synthetic drugs and opiates, CONCEPTS OF CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY, 10th Edition, reflects the explosion of information regarding the understanding, identification and treatment of substance use disorders. Author Harold Doweiko also examines the use and misuse of tobacco, bar ... endency
This is definitely a 'dry read' (no pun intended) and yes, even for a textbook, but it provides exceptionally detailed information about the fundamental operations of substances in the body and mind. If you are looking to really understand what goes on with chemical dependency, this is the book to read. Take your time with it and let it sink in.
This is my current required text for my final of the 4 focal areas of social work that I must complete, Substance Abuse. This book is extremely in-depth going into the very insides of the neurotransmitters in your brain and how they react when a substance encounters them, mainly targeting your dopamine receptors. This book covers every illegal and legal substance/drug/medication from A-Z (Alcohol to Zolpidem).
Upon covering what the various illicit substances to do the brain and your organs and body as a whole, the book ends with topics such as self-help groups and the debate around legalization.
The book itself is not horribly long, but VERY intensive. You must be completely focused while reading with no distractions. It's almost as intense as microbio if not more.
A lot of information and detailed. Some of the pharmacology and biotransformations conflict with other physiology of pharmaceuticals, but it was a great read to add to the bank of knowledge for my field.
(2012 Edition)Excellent up-to-date reference book for any AUD/SUD disorder counselor. I didn't even for a second consider selling this one back after completing my courses!
This text is incredibly informative, but incredibly deep text. The font is very small and the text is just packed with every aspect of substance abuse concepts you could think of!