"This book offers clear and specific practice suggestions for working with individuals with substance use disorders ranging from managing bill collection to tips for managing relapse triggers. It provides a basic foundation for understanding substance use disorders and will help the interested clinician to build skill for working with individuals who have substance use disorders. Although the book is aimed at office-based mental health practitioners, it would be a helpful resource for any mental health or substance use treatment practitioner as well as graduate students. Its emphasis on utilizing an integrated approach to meet individuals where they are is particularly salient for social workers....The authors have done a tremendous job synthesizing practice wisdom and research-based knowledge on working with individuals with substance use disorders into a clear and concise resource that clinicians can use in their day-to-day practice."

-Journal of Social Work Practice in the Addictions


"This guide empowers therapists with a wealth of information, advice, understanding, and strategies to help their patients move through the entire process of change to sustained recovery from alcohol and drug problems. It is easy to read and eminently useable. Every mental health practitioner should read this guide and keep it at hand. Your practice and your patients will be better off for it."

-Carlo C. DiClemente, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Maryland-Baltimore County


"Despite the prevalence of alcohol and other drug abuse, psychotherapists typically receive inadequate training in treating these problems and are reluctant to take on substance-abusing patients. This practical book promises to change all that. Washton and Zweben show clinicians how to assess the problem, engage the patient, develop a plan, carry out the treatment, deal with relapse, and more."

-Sigurd Ackerman, MD, President and Medical Director, Silver Hill Hospital


"Writing in a clear and engaging style, the authors provide information that psychotherapists need to know about the addictions and how to treat them. They do a terrific job of integrating concepts and techniques of psychotherapy with addictions treatment. This book is a gem that psychotherapists of every orientation will find extremely valuable."

-Hal Arkowitz, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Arizona


"This text provides a sophisticated snapshot of substance-abuse treatment today, extending the provision of substance-abuse services by private practitioners."

-APA PsycCRITIQUES


"Many people interested in clinical work with alcoholics and addicts will benefit from making this a centerpiece of their library."

-Families in Society Table of Contents

I. Basic Issues and Perspectives

1. Introduction

2. Nature, Course, and Diagnosis of Substance Use Disorders

3. Pharmacology and Overview of Psychoactive Substances

4. Ingredients of the Integrated Approach: Doing What Works

5. Considerations in Addressing Concurrent Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders

6. The Role of Medications

II. Clinical Strategies and Techniques

7. Assessment

8. Individualized Goal Setting and Treatment Planning: Meeting Patients "Where They Are"

9. Taking Action

10. Preventing Relapse

11. Psychotherapy in Ongoing and Later-Stage Recovery

12. Group Therapy

13. Facilitating Participation in Self-Help Programs

Appendices:

1. Self-Administered Patient Questionnaire

2. 10 Tips for Cutting Down on Your Drinking

3. Inventory of "Triggers" for Alcohol and Drug Use

4. Substance Abuse Websites

About the Authors

Arnold M. Washton, PhD, is Executive Director of Recovery Options, a private practice in New York City and Princeton, New Jersey, dedicated to treating alcohol and drug problems in executives and professionals. He also serves as Clinical Director of The Retreat at Princeton, an inpatient substance abuse treatment program at Princeton House Behavioral Health and the University Medical Center at Princeton. An internationally known addiction psychologist and widely published author, Dr. Washton has specialized in treating substance abuse and related mental health problems since 1975.

Joan E. Zweben, PhD, is a clinical psychologist with over 35 years of experience in treating addiction and in training treatment practitioners. These practitioners include peer counselors, social workers, marriage and family counselors, psychologists, criminal justice personnel, nurses, and physicians. She has a broad-based background in treatment of both alcoholism and drug dependence and has experience with both residential and outpatient modalities. She has served on numerous work groups focused on policy issues. Dr. Zweben is the founder and Executive Director of the 14th Street Clinic (1979-2007) and the East Bay Community Recovery Project (1989-present). Through these organizations, she has collaborated with researchers locally and nationally since 1981. She is the author of 4 books and over 55 articles or book chapters and editor of 15 monographs on treating addiction. Audience

Mental health practitioners, including clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatrists, counselors, family therapists, and nurses. Also of interest to substance abuse treatment specialists. Classroom Use

Serves as a text in advanced undergraduate- and graduate-level courses on substance abuse and addiction. Also useful as a supplemental text in psychotherapy courses.