Chemical Dependence

The author has organized basic, core information on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of chemical dependence into a readily understandable format. His approach teaches the physician what steps to take from a practical point of view: how to prevent addiction in the first place, how to diagnose the condition, how to aid the family get the addict into treatment, and how to increase the chances of long-term recovery. The book is divided into three sections. The first section covers basic definitions and concepts. The second section describes the pharmacology of the various psychoactive substances: depressants, opioids, stimulants, cannabinoids, hallucinogens, phencyclidines, and inhalants. The third section discusses chemical dependence in special groups: women, adolescents, the elderly, ethnic minorities, dual diagnosis patients, HIV- positive patients, and impaired physicians.

This is a how-to book for physicians and counselors; it teaches them what steps to take in recognizing and treating drug addiction. The chapter organization according to patient groups is not found in other books and gives basic information in one source.

1. Introduction.- The Problem.- Basic Definitions.- Progression to Chemical Dependence.- Denial.- Etiology of Chemical Dependence.- Classification of Drugs by Their Effects on the Central Nervous System.- Controlled Substance Act Classification of Drugs.- I The Basics.- 2. Diagnosis.- 3. Treatment.- 4. Recovery and Relapse.- 5. The Family.- 6. Prevention.- II Psychoactive Substances.- 7. Basic Principles of Pharmacology.- 8. CNS Depressants: Alcohol.- 9. CNS Depressants: Barbiturates, Barbiturate-like Drugs,Meprobamate, Chloral Hydrate, Paraldehyde.- 10. CNS Depressants: Benzodiazepines.- 11. Opioids.- 12. CNS Stimulants: Amphetamines, Amphetamine Cogeners,Caffeine, Others.- 13. CNS Stimulants: Cocaine.- 14. CNS Stimulants: Nicotine.- 15. Cannabinoids.- 16. Hallucinogens.- 17. Phencyclidines.- 18. Inhalants.- III Special Groups.- 19. Women.- 20. Adolescents.- 21. The Elderly.- 22. Ethnic Minority Groups.- 23. The Dual-Diagnosis Patient.- 24. The HIV-Positive Patient.- 25. The Impaired Physician.- Appendix A. Terminology.- Appendix B. Street/Slang Names for Drugs.