Rather than employing the pharmacological approach used by numerous other textbooks, this text provides a unique perspective on the abuse of alcohol and other drugs b instead focusing on the psychological aspect of abuse. There is a tendency to interpret negative events related to drugs and alcohol as consequences of excessive or inappropriate use of these substances. Dr. Jung instead asks why individuals end up using drugs, under what circumstances, and to what effect. This unique point of view also allows jung to avoid a drug-by-drug interpretation of facts, encouraging critical thinking to help students evaluate claim that they will encounter about alcohol and drugs in their careers and everyday life. CONTENTS: 1.Psychology of Psychoactive Drugs / 2. Defining Use, Abuse and Dependency / 3. The Extent of Alcohol and Other Drugs Use / 4. Pharmacology and Neurophysiology of Alcohol and Other Drugs / 5. Heredity and Environment: Alcohol and Other Drug Use / 6. Theories of Alcohol and Othir Drug Use / 7. Age, Alcohol and Other Drugs / 8. Gender Differences in Alcohol and Other Drugs / 9. Racial//Ethnic Minorities and Alcohol and Other Drug Use / 10. Personality Differences in Relation to Alcohol and Other Drugs / 11. Alcohol and Other Drugs / Relationship to Basic Psychological Processes / 12. Alcohol and Other Drugs: Relationship to Interpersonal Processes / 13. Alcohol and Other Drugs: Relationship to Family Processes / 14. Recovering from Alcohol and Other Drug Dependency / 15. Treatment of Alcohol and Other Drug Dependency / 16. Relapse after Alcohol and Other Drug Treatment / 17. Prevention of Alcohol and Other Drug Problems

Either a core or a supplementary text for an upper-division or graduate course in psychology or related fields. Rather than focusing on the few users who abuse their drugs of choice, Jung (psychology, California State U.-Long Beach synthesizes the considerable research on using recreational drugs in general. He focuses on alcohol, which is most widely used among the adults, and emphasizes individual differences.
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Rather than employing the pharmacological approach used by numerous other textbooks, this text provides a unique perspective on the abuse of alcohol and other drugs by instead focusing on the psychological aspect of abuse. There is a tendency to interpret negative events related to drugs and alcohol as consequences of excessive or inappropriate use of these substances. Dr. Jung instead asks why individuals end up using drugs, under what circumstances, and to what effect. This unique point of view also allows Jung to avoid a drug-by-drug interpretation of facts, encouraging critical thinking to help students evaluate claims that they will encounter about alcohol and drugs in their careers and everyday life.

Why do people abuse alcohol and other drugs? What are the major psychological effects of these substances on the body? Rather than an in-depth pharmacological approach to substance abuse. Psychology of Alcohol and Other Drugs explores concepts of individual use origins, personality and gender differences in drug use, and recovery from dependency. Beginning with the origins of both legal and illicit drugs, John Jung explores the history of drug use in America. This eye-opening introduction sets the stage for an in-depth exploration of drug abuse and the human body.

Whether one freely admits to a drug dependency or claims a lifestyle free from addiction, this text explores the views of those both for and against drug availability. Students are exposed to a variety of social and political opinions and evaluate claims that they will encounter in their day-to-day life. From the personality theories on dependency to the physical effects of drug use, John Jung explores a variety of psychological and medical issues. Armed with the practical knowledge from this book, students are more likely to make intelligent choices for themselves.

Psychology of Alcohol and Other Drugs encourages the reader to become a critical consumer rather than a docile recipient of research information in this field, much of it interpreted in a highly dubious, and frequently political manner.</p> <p></p> <p>The author offers a psychological perspective in his coverage of alcohol and drug-related issues, focusing in depth on key topics. He:</p> <p></p> <p>&#183; examines the contribution of research methodology to outcomes </p> <p>&#183; offers alternative explanations to alcohol and drug-related issues</p> <p></p> <p>&#183; considers causal relationships in substance abuse</p> <p></p> <p>&#183; discusses alcohol and drug abuse in different groups defined by gender, age race, marital status and </p> <p></p> <p>&#183; includes Danish and Swedish studies of hereditary and environmental influences