The new edition of this important text has been fully revised and is an essential resource for those working in the field of drug addiction.

Drug misuse tends to be encountered in the context of other, often more pressing social problems, such as child abuse, homelessness, domestic violence or emergency relief. This book responds to the needs of social workers in this position by covering the spectrum of brief, empirically validated intervention methods which can be readily incorporated into broader casework plans at any stage of the change process, from extreme resistance to avoidance of relapse.

This clear and realistic text employs social work's 'person-in-situation' perspective to identify targets of intervention at the level of individuals, families and even the broader social policy context. It includes new material on recent or more commonly used substances such as designer drugs and methamphetamine. It also provides an update on the latest research evidence on the aetiology and psychosocial treatment of addictions. This is an invaluable, versatile text that is wholly attuned to social work needs.

New to this Edition:
- Includes new material on 'designer drugs' and other new, commonly used substances

JAMES G. BARBER is currently Professor of Social Administration and Social Work at Flinders University in South Australia. Prior to becoming an academic he worked with street kids, skid row alcoholics, terminal cancer patients and psychiatric patients. Since becoming an academic he has continued his interest in direct practice through numerous research projects in the fields of addictions, child welfare and youth suicide.