Examine the worldwide phenomenon of substance abuse and addiction!
International Aspects of Social Work Practice in the Addictions examines current social work practice in the addictions around the world. Researchers and practitioners address the abuse of and addiction to alcohol and other drugs and the current policies impacting the treatment of these substances in different countries. The book looks at the substances abused, the scope of the problems, the social reactions, the treatment approaches, and the role of professionals in addressing issues unique to each country, providing a more critical understanding of the socioeconomic and cultural influences on treatment systems.
International Aspects of Social Work Practice in the Addictions presents cross-cultural perspectives on the effects of substance abuse and addiction on social policies, institutional practices, sources of funding, and social work methods. The book examines the rapid social changes that go hand in hand with increased rates of psychoactive substance problems and recognizes addiction as a complex biopsychosocial phenomenon that responds to intervention. The countries represented by the book's contributors include: Israel Ireland Germany Australia Singapore the Netherlands the United Kingdom the former Soviet Union and the United States International Aspects of Social Work Practice in the Addictions also includes book reviews related to cultural issues and a roundtable discussion concerning the legalization of drugs with perspectives from Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This unique book is a vital resource for clinicians, academics, and researchers.

The diploma in social work requires its students to develop a greater awareness of alcohol-related problems. The first few chapters of this book examine the implications of recent community care legislation for government policy on alcohol; the prevalence of drinking problems amongst older people, which has been under-estimated; and recent research is reviewed on young people's drinking problems. In the second half of the book, empirical evidence is presented on the particular difficulties faced by ethnic, migrant and homeless groups and this emphasis on the centrality of social disadvantage leads on to a consideration of a specific social work role in the assessment and management of alcohol-related problems. The book is aimed at social work practitioners and students on prequalifying, qualifying and postqualifying social work courses, and it addresses key social work issues in relation to poverty, homelessness, discrimination and drinking problems.

The diploma in social work requires its students to develop a greater awareness of alcohol-related problems. The first few chapters of this book examine the implications of recent community care legislation for government policy on alcohol; the prevalence of drinking problems amongst older people, which has been under-estimated; and recent research is reviewed on young people's drinking problems. In the second half of the book, empirical evidence is presented on the particular difficulties faced by ethnic, migrant and homeless groups and this emphasis on the centrality of social disadvantage leads on to a consideration of a specific social work role in the assessment and management of alcohol-related problems. The book is aimed at social work practitioners and students on prequalifying, qualifying and postqualifying social work courses, and it addresses key social work issues in relation to poverty, homelessness, discrimination and drinking problems.

Examine the worldwide phenomenon of substance abuse and addiction!
International Aspects of Social Work Practice in the Addictions examines current social work practice in the addictions around the world. Researchers and practitioners address the abuse of and addiction to alcohol and other drugs and the current policies impacting the treatment of these substances in different countries. The book looks at the substances abused, the scope of the problems, the social reactions, the treatment approaches, and the role of professionals in addressing issues unique to each country, providing a more critical understanding of the socioeconomic and cultural influences on treatment systems.
International Aspects of Social Work Practice in the Addictions presents cross-cultural perspectives on the effects of substance abuse and addiction on social policies, institutional practices, sources of funding, and social work methods. The book examines the rapid social changes that go hand in hand with increased rates of psychoactive substance problems and recognizes addiction as a complex biopsychosocial phenomenon that responds to intervention. The countries represented by the book's contributors include: Israel Ireland Germany Australia Singapore the Netherlands the United Kingdom the former Soviet Union and the United States International Aspects of Social Work Practice in the Addictions also includes book reviews related to cultural issues and a roundtable discussion concerning the legalization of drugs with perspectives from Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This unique book is a vital resource for clinicians, academics, and researchers.

A misguided quest for freedom which ends in drug dependence, raising questions about the nature of addiction and the societal response.