Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
The abuse of drugs and chemicals has become a problematic public health dilemma for the world's population and one that must be dealt with by parents, societies, clinicians, researchers, and even countries in the world. This book discusses the complex neurobiology that underlies drug addiction and reveals how these illicit chemicals disrupt central nervous system neurotransmission involving such neurotransmitters as serotonin, dopamine, and others. This manual reviews current understanding in drug interactions with neurotransmitter systems, neuroimmune signaling, current research on reward circuitry, and current medications used to treat drug addiction. It also discusses related topics such as drug addiction in females, co-morbid conditions, drug addiction in minority populations, prenatal drug exposure and others. The book covers new drugs of the 21st century and discusses such controversial topics as legalization of drug use. It also provides internet resources, treatment facilities by state, and parent support organizations. The importance of prevention of drug abuse is a key theme of the book.
Synopsis
Substance abuse comprises a global biopsychosocial phenomenon for the world as billions of human beings are experimenting with various illicit chemicals and millions are addicted to various substances. By virtue of their complex nature these disorders can be very difficult to treat and not only complicates the natural course of disease but can also adversely impact long term outcomes. This book is aiming to examine this complex situation in adolescents and young adults and also to provide management plans for clinicians to follow.The information will be presented in an easy to follow format to be used as a clinical reference by physicians and paramedical staff in various fields of medicine including pediatrics, primary care, internal medicine, psychiatry and others.