Addiction Press – serie

The word ‘addiction’ these days is used to refer to a chronic condition where there is anunhealthily powerful motivation to engage in a particular behaviour. This can be driven bymany different factors – physiological, psychological, environmental and social. If we say that itis all about X, we miss V, W, Y and Z. So, some people think addicts are using drugs to escapefrom unhappy lives, feelings of anxiety and so on; many are. Some people think drugs becomeaddictive because they alter the brain chemistry to create powerful urges; that is often true.Others think that drug taking is about seeking after pleasure; often it is. Some take the view thataddiction is a choice – addicts weigh up the pros and cons of doing what they do and decidethe former outweigh the latter. Yet others believe that addicts suffer from poor impulse control;that is often true… And so it goes on.When you look at the evidence, you see that all these positions capture important aspects ofthe problem – but they are not complete explanations. Neuroscience can help us delve moredeeply into some of these explanations, while the behavioural and social sciences are better atexploring others. We need a model that puts all this together in a way that can help us decidewhat to do in different cases. Should we prescribe a drug, give the person some ‘tender lovingcare’, put them in prison or what? Theory of Addiction provides this synthesis.The first edition was well received:‘Throughout the book the reader is exposed to a vast number of useful observations...Thetheoretical aims are timely, refreshing, ambitious and above all challenging. It opens up a newway of looking at addiction and has the potential to move the field of addiction a considerableleap forward. Thus we wholeheartedly would like to recommend the book for students as wellas scholars. Read and learn!’ Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs‘The book provides a comprehensive review of existing theories - over 30 in all - and thissynthesis of theories constitutes an important contribution in and of itself... West is to becommended for his synthesis of addiction theories that span neurobiology, psychology andsocial science and for his insights into what remains unexplained.’ AddictionThis new edition of Theory of Addiction builds on the first, including additional theories inthe field, a more developed specification of PRIME theory and analysis of the expandingevidence base.With this important new information, Theory of Addiction will continue to be essential readingfor all those working in addiction, from student to experienced practitioner – as urged above,Read and learn!

The book presents an integrative theory of hard-to-maintain behaviours, that includes hard-to-reduce or eliminate behaviours like smoking and other drug use, overconsumption of food or unsafe sex, and hard-to-sustain behaviours like exercise and sun-safe behaviours. Most of the examples come from the author's work on tobacco smoking, but it is relevant to anyone who is concerned to understand why some forms of desirable behaviour are so hard to achieve, and to those trying to help people change. It also has important implications for public health campaigns and for the development of policies to nudge behaviour in desirable ways.The book provides readers with frameworks to: Determine whether a "hard to maintain" behaviour is a result of the skills needed to perform it, its reinforcement history, the way the person thinks about it, the context, or some combination of these.Better integrate cognitive and behavioural change strategies, including emergent strategies related to mindfulness and acceptance, plus novel ways of retraining operational processes.Understand the different nature of challenges for behaviours where multiple attempts are typically required before the desired behaviour pattern is sustained.Better understand the role of feelings and emotions as influences on behaviour.Understand the limits of environmental factors to determine change.Understand the limits of self-control and will-power.

Substance use and addiction is an increasing problem amongst older people. The identification of this problem is often more difficult in older patients and is frequently missed, particularly in the primary care context and in emergency departments, but also in a range of medical and psychiatric specialties.Substance Use and Older People shows how to recognise and treat substance problems in older patients. However, it goes well beyond assessment and diagnosis by incorporating up-to-date evidence on the management of those older people who are presenting with chronic complex disorders, which result from the problematic use of alcohol, inappropriate prescribed or over the counter medications, tobacco, or other drugs. It also examines a variety of biological and psychosocial approaches to the understanding of these issues in the older population and offers recommendations for policy.Substance Use and Older People is a valuable resource for geriatricians, old age psychiatrists, addiction psychiatrists, primary care physicians, and gerontologists as well as policy makers, researchers, and educators. It is also relevant for residents and fellows training in geriatrics or geri-psychiatry, general practitioners and nursing home physicians.

Manual of Smoking Cessation provides the crucial knowledge required if you are involved in helping smokers to stop. The manual provides facts, figures, suggested interventions and sources of further information to assist in providing evidence-based treatment for smokers wishing to stop. This manual covers the core content areas and key learning outcomes described in the Standard for Training in Smoking Cessation (Health Development Agency, 2003). Manual of Smoking Cessation is structured in two concise parts: Part 1 provides essential information on smoking demographics, along with the risks of smoking and the benefits of stopping; Part 2 offers a range of practical advice to implement with clients. The Smoking Cessation Manual is an essential text for all those involved in the provision of smoking cessation services, including smoking cessation counsellors, nurses, pharmacists, doctors, health promotion officers, dental professionals, and other members of the health care team. The book is an invaluable resource for those learning about smoking cessation, and a succinct aide-memoire to those already practicing in the field.The authors represent the 'who's who' in the field of smoking cessation and are affiliated to University College London and Cancer Research UK (Andy McEwen and Robert West), St Bartholomew's & Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry (Peter Hajek), and the University of Auckland (Hayden McRobbie).

Addiction Research Methods’ is a comprehensive handbook for health professionals, policy-makers and researchers working and training in the field of addiction. The book provides a clear, comprehensive and practical guide to research design, methods and analysis within the context of the field of alcohol and other drugs. The reader is introduced to fundamental principles and key issues; and is orientated to available sources of information and key literature.Written by a team of internationally acclaimed contributors, the book is divided into six major sections: Introduction; Research Design; Basic Toolbox; Biological Models; Specialist Methods; and Analytical Methods. Each chapter offers an introduction to the background and development of the discipline in question, its key features and applications, how it compares to other methods/analyses and its advantages and limitations.FEATURES List of useful websites and assistive technology.Case study examplesList of useful hermeneuticsRecommended reading listContains exercises to help the reader to develop their skills.

Harm Reduction is a philosophy of public health intended as a progressive alternative to the prohibition of certain potentially dangerous lifestyle choices. Recognising that certain people always have and always will engage in behaviours which carry risks, the aim of harm reduction is to mitigate the potential dangers and health risks associated with those behaviours. Harm Reduction in Substance Use and High-Risk Behaviour offers a comprehensive exploration of the policy, practice and evidence base of harm reduction. Starting with a history of harm reduction, the book addresses key ethical and legal issues central to the debates and developments in the field. It discusses the full range of psychoactive substances, behaviours and communities with chapters on injecting, dance drugs, stimulant use, tobacco harm reduction, alcohol use and sex work.Written by an international team of contributors, this text provides an essential panorama of harm reduction in the 21st century for educators and researchers in addiction and public health, postgraduate students and policy makers.