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The National Drug Control Policy has failed its two major functions
(supply reduction and demand reduction) due to faulty assumptions
regarding nearly every aspect of the alcohol and drug fields,
charges author Fisher. Yet in spite of overwhelming evidence of
this failure policy makers have strongly resisted discussing major
changes to the assumptions that underly current policy, because of
political pressure, bias and philosophical intransigence, he adds.
Fisher discusses controversial topics and defends uncommon
approaches in chapters focused on subjects including legalization,
harm reduction, the futility of supply reduction, the problem of
underage drinking and effectiveness of treatment and prevention. He
proposes a new national policy for drug control, including
elimination of the war' metaphor, inclusion of alcohol in the
mandate, conceptualization of addiction as a public health problem,
utilization of harm reduction principles to guide policy and
discontinuation of approaches that isolate drug and alcohol
problems from their connection to broader social issues such as
poverty. In this work, the premises of the current National Drug
Control Strategy are challenged, and both Democratic and Republican
administrations across the last 10 years are critically examined.
Statements of the Director of the Office of National Drug Control
Strategy are critiqued. Major points include that there is no
evidence the NDCS has achieved any of its goals, that harm
reduction should be its guiding principle, and supply reduction
should not be part of the national strategy.
A new understanding of substance abuse explores treatment issues
based on subtypes of addicts, with a special focus on antisocial
personality disorder and functional addiction. Professionals in the
treatment of substance abuse have long recognized the dismal
success rate in addressing this pervasive problem. A fresh view of
addiction may offer long-sought answers. Intervention and treatment
strategies can be made more effective, maintains veteran addiction
educator and psychologist Gary L. Fisher, through identification of
addict subtypes. That is the goal of Understanding Why Addicts Are
Not All Alike: Recognizing the Types and How Their Differences
Affect Intervention and Treatment. The book provides an in-depth,
research-based analysis of three specific subtypes of substance
abusers: addicts who fit the disease model, addicts with antisocial
personality disorder, and functional addicts-those who lead
otherwise successful lives. Particular attention is paid to the
latter two groups, which have not been adequately studied
previously. Characteristics of the three subtypes are illustrated
through case studies that clearly demonstrate how subtype impacts
prevention, intervention, and treatment. Most important, the book
recommends practical intervention and treatment strategies that
will enable concerned parties to identify-and help-each of these
distinct groups. Case studies of real people that illustrate the
three subtypes of addicts Offers specific intervention and
treatment recommendations based on subtype Gives a firsthand look
at actual functional addicts who continue to use illicit drugs
Presents a realistic discussion of the poor prognosis for
antisocial personality addicts and what can be done to manage this
population
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