Emerging Perspectives on Substance Misuse

Emerging Perspectives on Substance Misuse addresses theoretical, practice and policy issues regarding problematic use of alcohol and illegal drugs, and presents a wide range of emerging evidence–based perspectives. Internationally recognized leading experts, from a variety of specializations in substance misuse, cover the development of drug and alcohol policies; the rise of excessive alcohol consumption; gender and substance use; working with children and families of substance misusers; new ways forward in professional practice; the emerging recovery movement, and the restrictions that misguided policies place on research and clinical advancement. The result is a book which is vital to professionals charged with devising and delivering policies and interventions to reduce alcohol– and drug–related harm, as well as academics studying addictive behaviors.

Contributors vii About the Editor ix Preface xi 1 Changing Perspectives on Problematic Drug Use 1 Richard Velleman 2 Formulating Effective Alcohol Policy: Not as Simple as it Sounds 23 Robin Davidson 3 Binge Drinking: Consumption, Consequences, Causes and Control 40 Willm Mistral 4 A Picture Tells a Thousand Stories: Young Women, Mobile Technology, and Drinking Narratives 59 Rebecca Brown 5 Exploring Emerging Perspectives on Gender and Drug Use 80 Karenza Moore and Fiona Measham 6 Embracing Children and Families in Substance–Misuse Treatment 98 Lorna Templeton 7 In Their Own Right: Developing Confidential Services for Children and Young People Affected by Parental Alcohol and Drug Use 118 Louise Hill 8 Screening for Alcohol Use Disorders 134 Lesley Smith 9 From Comorbidity to Multiple Health Behaviour Change 152 Amanda Baker, Sarah Hiles, Louise Thornton, Amanda Searl, Peter Kelly, and Frances Kay–Lambkin 10 Counselling in Intensive Structured Day Treatment: The Co–production of Recovery 170 Tim Leighton 11 Movements Towards Recovery 187 Willm Mistral and Stephen Wilkinson 12 How Current Drug Laws Impede Research and Clinical Treatments 206 David Nutt Index 215

Willm Mistral is an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the University of Bath, and for many years managed the Mental Health Research & Development Unit, Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership Trust. He has been involved in 75 research projects on substance misuse and mental health, and has published extensively. Dr. Mistral has provided consultation papers for the Welsh Assembly Government, for the Home Office Blueprint programme Involving Parents in Drugs Education, for the Department of Children, Schools and Families, and for Action on Addiction.

“The book skilfully and succinctly summarises current knowledge about substance misuse, along with thought–provoking perspectives on the wider issues related to an individual’s use and the impact it has on themselves and society.  In doing so, it provides a valuable snapshot view of topics, which students and professionals might further explore.”  ( DrugLink , 1 March 2014)