Social workers represent the largest body of addiction and mental health service providers, and there is a consistent need for up-to-date information. Social Work Practice in the Addictions is a comprehensive evidence-based volume. Contributing authors of this volume have been carefully selected to ensure representation of the leading social work addiction researchers. Additionally, researchers from other allied fields, including psychiatry, psychology, and public health, will also be involved to ensure a strong interdisciplinary perspective. Unlike other texts on addiction, this book incorporates ideas of social justice, practice with diverse communities, and ethics to represent the entire knowledge base of social work.

Measurement refers generally to the process of assigning a numeric value to, or ordering characteristics or traits of, entities under study. Measurement is necessary for building and testing theory, specifying problems, and defining goals. It is arguably one of the most important and diffcult tasks in social work research. Social work researchers who are not expert in developing, selecting, and using measures will not be able to contribute maximally to the social work knowledge base. Such knowledge and skills related to measurement ultimately determines the extent to which social work research can effectively inform social policy and social work interventions. This book is to serve as a guide for developing, selecting, and using measures in social work research. In particular, this book provides a detailed review of contemporary validity theory; an update on the major issues of reliability; common errors in measurement of latent variables; and suggestions on measurement of social networks and collectives. An important theme of this book is the focus on the creative potential of measurement - that is, helping social work researchers think about the wide variety of ways that social work concepts can be measured. Reflecting on these differences raises questions about underlying assumptions that in turn inspires creative theoretical insights. Rather than seeing measurement as simply a task to be completed in the research process, we will encourage the reader to think creatively about measurement and theory. This book also addresses the interdependency of measurement and theory construction. In other words, this book covers how measurement and theory are connected in two different ways. First, every measure has its own working theory that relates the measure to the concept being measured. Second, theory construction is dependent on measurement. What we learn using a given measure could be different if a concept was measured in a different way.

Using a case-based approach to connect the classroom and the practice environment, this foundational text incorporates a broad set of themes that include advocacy, social justice, global focus, ethics, theory, and critical thinking. Integrated, up-to-date, evidence-based content related to diversity, social justice, and international issues helps readers develop the basic skills of engagement, assessment, intervention, and reflective practice, as well as the key skills needed for the field experience. Each chapter of the book is mapped to the latest Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) to aid schools of social work in connecting the course content with monitored outcomes.

At the beginning of history, people abused intoxicating substances and grappled with the consequences as best they could. In more recent times, the healing professions made recognizing, understanding, and treating addictions major priorities. Today, social workers are the largest group providing assessment, prevention, and treatment services for persons with addictions, necessitating rigorous, up-to-date information sources concerning the vulnerable and often stigmatized clients they encounter in daily practice. Reflecting a strong basis in social justice and ethics, Social Work Practice in the Addictions assembles the current evidence base in one readable, comprehensive volume. It begins by tracing the history of approaches to addiction and its treatment, from early morality-based concepts to today's multilayered models. From there, contributors present the latest findings on epidemiology and etiology, assessment and treatment options, working meaningfully with diverse populations, and possibilities for future research. Coverage is interdisciplinary, with experts representing psychology, psychiatry, public health, and other related fields as chapters: * Review frequently used assessment tools. * Decode the language of diagnosis. * Detail effective treatment strategies, including motivational interventions, recovery/12-step facilitation, and cognitive- behavioral therapy. * Offer a framework for integrating diversity and social justice into addictions practice. * Critique current alcohol and drug control policies. * Model non-judgmental social work practice. Social Work Practice in the Addictions is a trustworthy guide for social work professionals, educators, and counselors looking to hone critical competencies, keep abreast of the field, and maintain an open mind.