The revised fourth edition of Substance Use and Misuse retains its comprehensive, holistic examination of the field of addiction from a Canadian perspective. Organized into seven sections, the 33 chapters examine the nature of addiction; explore biological, psychological, and social theories that attempt to explain addiction; discuss drugs that produce addiction, along with a review of prevention, treatment, and treatment system options; and consider the legal and ethical issues that those working in substance use and addiction frequently encounter.
Thoroughly updated to reflect contemporary issues, policy changes, and recent advances in the field of addiction counselling, Rick Csiernik's much-loved text features three newly added chapters on the topics of cannabis, the "Triple S" prevention approach for schools and communities, and relapse prevention. New and expanded content covers areas such as vaping, the toxic drug crisis, prevention, decriminalization versus legalization, and resources for Indigenous communities.
Substance Use and Misuse, Fourth Edition is an essential and timely resource for courses across social work, human services counselling, psychology, and mental health and addiction programs, as well as for counsellors treating individuals faced with addiction.
Table of Contents:
List of Tables, Figures, and Boxes
Preface
Acknowledgements
Section I: Fundamental Concepts
Chapter 1: Conceptualizing Addiction
Chapter 2: Pharmacological Foundations
Chapter 3: Drug Use and Its Economic Implications
Section I Closing Thoughts and Activities
Section II: Theories on Addiction
Chapter 4: The Moral Model
Chapter 5: Biological Theories
Chapter 6: Psychological Theories
Chapter 7: Sociological Theories
Section II Closing Thoughts and Activities
Section III: Psychoactive Drugs
Chapter 8: Depressants
Chapter 9: Opioids
Chapter 10: Stimulants
Chapter 11: Hallucinogens
Chapter 12: Cannabis
Chapter 13: Psychotherapeutic Drugs
Section III Closing Thoughts and Activities
Section IV: Prevention
Chapter 14: An Overview of Prevention Programming
Chapter 15: What Works and What Doesn't
Chapter 16: Family Programming
Chapter 17: Triple S: Substances, Self, and Society: A Holistic Prevention Approach for Schools and Communities
Section IV Closing Thoughts and Activities
Section V: Treatment Options
Chapter 18: Pharmacological Therapies (Pharmacotherapy)
Chapter 19 Individual Counselling Approaches
Chapter 20 Confrontation and Intervention
Chapter 21: Working with More than One: Families and Groups
Chapter 22: Behavioural and Cognitive Approaches
Chapter 23: Harm Reduction
Chapter 24: The Foundations of Contemporary Addiction Counselling: The Transtheoretical Model of Change and Motivational Interviewing
Chapter 25: Trauma-Informed Practice
Chapter 26: Mutual Aid/Self-Help
Chapter 27: Relapse Prevention
Section V Closing Thoughts and Activities
Section VI: Treatment Resources
Chapter 28: Entry into the Addiction Continuum of Care
Chapter 29: Addiction-Specific Resources
Chapter 30: Adjunct Resources
Section VI Closing Thoughts and Activities
Section VII: Becoming a Competent Addiction Counsellor
Chapter 31: Psychoactive Drugs and the Law
Chapter 32: Ethical Considerations
Chapter 33: Practice Considerations: Addiction Counsellor Competencies
Section VII Closing Thoughts and Activities
References
Copyright Acknowledgements
Index
About the Author :
Rick Csiernik is Senior Instructor, Addiction Studies Program, Wilfrid Laurier University, and Professor Emeritus, School of Social Work, King's University College at Western University, and was co-developer of the McMaster University Addiction Studies Program. Csiernik has authored and edited several popular Canadian Scholars titles including The Essential Guide to Psychoactive Drugs in Canada, Third Edition (2025); Workplace Wellness (2014); Responding to the Oppression of Addiction, Fourth Edition (co-edited with William S. Rowe and Gabriela Novotna, 2023); The Drug Paradox (with Tara Bruno, 2018), and Poverty, Mental Health, and Social Inclusion (co-edited with Cheryl Forchuk, 2021). The author of more than 250 peer-reviewed publications, Rick has been recipient of the King's University College Award for Excellence in Teaching, the McMaster University Instructor Appreciation Award, the Hugh Mellon Excellence in Research Award, the Ontario Volunteer Award, and the Jeff Wilbee Award for leadership in the field of addiction.
Review :
"Substance Use and Misuse provides a holistic and comprehensive approach to the complex topic of addictions in today's world. With consideration for the historical, political, legal, and ethical components, the author thoroughly explores and contextualizes fundamental concepts, key theories, treatment options, prevention strategies, and particulars of popular licit and illicit substances across time and cultures. This text is a valuable resource for post-secondary students and interprofessional health care providers." —Dr. Kristen Jones-Bonofiglio, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, and Director, Centre for Health Care Ethics, Lakehead University
"The author has considered what an instructor and a student needs to become oriented to the field, absorb a great deal of information, consider the many different perspectives, think critically about them, and move beyond knowledge to consider implications for action. This is an ambitious agenda, and both instructors and students get a sense of being accompanied in this teaching and learning journey by the author, who has made every effort to guide the process with this very excellent textbook." —Dr. Jessica Ball, Professor, School of Child and Youth Care, University of Victoria
