Primer for Treating Substance Abusers: (Library of Substance Abuse Treatment)

Is abstinence necessary? What is the role of hypnosis? What is the pink cloud? This encyclopedic primer, written in an easy question-and-answer format, contains everything a clinician needs to know about substance abuse and addiction. Dr. Jerome David Levin outlines the treatment of chemical and other addictions such as compulsive gambling, compulsive sexuality, and codependency. He covers the full complexity of substance abuse diagnosis and treatment with a biopsychosocial approach and multimodal interventions, ranging from detoxification and rehabilitation programs to cognitive and behavioral treatments, self-help groups, and individual and family therapy. A clear, comprehensive book that presents an integrated picture of a complex phenomenon, this primer can be profitably read either straight through or as a reference text.

About the Author :
Jerome David Levin, Ph.D., is a faculty member of the Humanities Department at the New School for Social Research as well as Director of the New School's Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Training Program. He is also Adjunct Associate Professor of Social Science at New York University. Dr. Levin is the author of Treatment of Alcoholism and Other Addictions: A Self-Psychology Approach, Recovery from Alcoholism: Beyond Your Wildest Dreams, Introduction to Alcoholism Counseling: A Bio-Psycho-Social Approach, Slings and Arrows: Narcissistic Injury and Its Treatment, Theories of the Self, The Clinton Syndrome: The Tragedy of Sexual Addiction, and most recently, Couple and Family Therapy of Addiction. He is co-editor with Ronna H. Weiss of The Dynamics and Treatment of Alcoholism: Essential Papers. Dr. Levin conducts a private practice in psychodynamic psychotherapy in New York City and Long Island.

Review :
This is an original and valuable book for mental health or substance abuse trainees interested in learning how to treat addiction. Dr. Levin employs the ingenious technique of supplying basic questions and then answering them in a thoughtful way. In adopting this approach, he has created a well-organized and approachable text that is a pleasure to read. Dr. Jerome Levin's Primer for Treating Substance Abusers is as basic as it gets. At the same time, it is erudite and comprehensive in reviewing each class of abused drug and the etiologies and treatments of substance use disorders. His scholarly focus on theory is eloquently complemented by compelling case examples. Through his review of theory and his cases, Dr. Levin reveals the complex nature of addictive vulnerability, its tragic consequences when unchecked, and the considerable hope for transformation and recovery when it is properly understood and treated. Beyond the practical and erudite aspects of his primer, Dr. Levin's clarify of writing, the many questions raised (and answered), and keen sense of humor make this book very engaging and readable. This very readable book provides mental health professionals with a wonderfully comprehensive orientation toward addiction treatment. The author offers his extensive experience, rich case material, and summarizes and critiques the claims of leading thinkers and practitioners. He highlights fine points of clinical practice and describes broad strategies and tactics of treatment. He also explains diagnosis, etiology, theory, and research about addiction in historical and cultural contexts, and demonstrates how these contexts, if ignored, can thwart treatment efforts. In these ways this book is a detailed road map for mental health professionals who must guide addicts through obstacles, dead ends, and traps that mark the path to recovery.