Understanding Drugs of Abuse

This is designed to bring the everyday reader face-to-face with drugs of abuse and addiction. Through frank, no-nonsense explanations of the stimulants, depressants, psychedelics, and inhalants, this accessible guide will help the reader to understand how drugs of abuse affect thinking, behavior, perceptions, and emotions.

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• What is addiction?
• How do you know if someone is addicted?
• Are some people more prone to addiction than others?
• Are some drugs more addictive than others?
• How can you help someone who doesn't want help?



Understanding Drugs of Abuse is designed to bring the everyday reader face-to-face with drugs of abuse and addiction. Through frank, no-nonsense explanations of the stimulants, depressants, psychedelics, and inhalants, this accessible guide will help the reader to understand how drugs of abuse affect thinking, behavior, perceptions, and emotions. It also examines the effects addiction has on the addict's family.



Understanding Drugs of Abuse demystifies the treatment process by explaining what types of treatment are available, what actually happens during treatment, and what patients and their families can expect during the treatment process. The book also describes the recovery process and will help people identify good recovery—as well as recognize poor recovery and the warning signs of relapse. Perhaps most important, Understanding Drugs of Abuse explains how friends and family can intervene when someone they love does not want help.


Because the use of prescribed medications by people with substance use disorders can be misunderstood or even be dangerous, this book presents practical information about medications and recovery. It also explores the unique problems of adolescents who are addicted, as well as people with the dual disorders of a psychiatric and substance use disorder. Understanding Drugs of Abuse will also help the reader understand the role of genetics and other influences on addiction to alcohol, the most widely abused drug of all.