Understanding Addiction Behaviours (ePub)

Understanding addiction has never been more important, as manyprofessionals, from counsellors and nurses, to social workers and healthpsychologists, encounter addictive behaviour on a daily basis. Looking at addiction in all of its forms, this multi-disciplinary book providesa comprehensive introduction to the substances and the activities whichcan lead to excessive and addictive behaviour. It discusses pharmacologicaladdictions, including both legal and illegal substances. It also covers nonpharmacologicaldependencies (such as internet addiction, eating disorders,gambling and sexual addiction) which, despite their prevalence, are oftenabsent from the literature on addiction. Drawing on the field's broad evidence base, the book features: coverage of eleven types of addictive substances and activities, outliningsigns, symptoms, adverse consequences and assessment and interventionstrategies for each; a range of engaging reflective activities and case studies to link theoreticaldiscussion directly to practice; analysis of the broader context of addiction, including dual diagnosis andharm reduction, and issues relating to diversity and service provision. Offering a rigorous introduction to the full spectrum of addictive behaviour,this book is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the natureof addiction for contemporary practice.