Clinical Topics in Addiction

Addiction to psychoactive substances can lead to a range of biological, psychological and social problems, and the clinical management of these issues can often be complex. This book brings together papers from the popular journal Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, which have been updated to give systematic, authoritative and well-referenced accounts of over twenty key clinical topics relating to substance misuse. It is written by practitioners with extensive experience of managing these difficulties, and provides a handy synthesis of clinical, research and policy issues. Taking a very practical focus, the contents will be of use to any practitioner who comes across a patient with an addiction, and in particular to trainees in addiction psychiatry. Topics covered include gambling, all major psychoactive substances, comorbidity with mental health problems, addiction in special populations, including young people, pregnant women and offenders, psychological and pharmacological treatments, and addiction policy.