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.

This book is rooted in the conviction that human biology plays a critical role in understanding drug abuse and antisocial behavior. In the same breath, however, it fundamentally affirms the importance of the many social and environmental factors that influence our behavior across the life course. The study begins with an overview of the scope of the problem of drug abuse and crime, and an examination of how these problems often feed into one another. Building upon that foundation, the focus shifts to a review of cutting-edge research on the genetics and neurobiology of addiction and antisocial behavior across the developmental periods of childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. An exploration of the implications of a biosocial life course approach in terms of drug abuse prevention, and an examination of what lies ahead for drug abuse and criminological research conclude this detailed and timely book. Policy makers, practitioners and scholars of criminology and sociology will find this of particular interest.

The Routledge International Handbook of Delinquency and Health presents state-of-the-art research and theorizing on the intersections between health, delinquency, and the juvenile justice system. Organized into three parts-Theoretical and Empirical Foundations; Behavioral, Mental, and Physical Health Conditions; and Prevention, Policy, and Health Promotion Systems-it is the largest and most comprehensive work of its kind, featuring contributions from scholars from multiple nations and global regions. A growing number of researchers, practitioners, and policymakers from criminology and criminal justice, social work, medicine, psychiatry and psychology, and other health science disciplines engage with marginalized adolescent populations who are at elevated risk for violence and delinquency, alcohol and other drug use, health and mental health problems, and other difficulties directly related to public safety and well-being. These risk factors often lead to short-term (e.g., detention, juvenile residential treatment facilities) and long-term (e.g., prison, parole) contact with the criminal justice system. As these fields increasingly overlap, the distinctions between them are blurred. Sound decision-making in the juvenile justice system depends on adequate research and policy at the intersection of delinquency and health. This volume represents an agenda-setting scholarly resource for the expansion of research and policy-making across the international delinquency and health continuum, and will be an essential resource for all who study or work in the field.

Exposing readers to "what works" across a wide range of practice domains, Readings in Evidence-Based Social Work meets a growing need within schools of social work to incorporate the latest research on evidence-based practice into the curriculum. This one-of-a-kind reader synthesizes current knowledge, adds editorial commentary and questions, and presents state-of-the-art material to help students better understand which social work interventions work and why. Key Features: Uses systematic reviews to evaluate studies that test the effectiveness of evidence-based interventions Offers a three-part organization that focuses on the major practice domains of children and families, at-risk youth, and mental health and well-being Provides an overview of the techniques of meta-analysis and systematic review Includes original commentary and discussion questions before each major section and concludes each section with important practice points Discusses barriers to evidence-based social work practice, as well as directions for future work Readings in Evidence-Based Social Work is appropriate for a wide variety of courses within the Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) and Master's in Social Work (M.S.W.) curriculum including Generalist Social Work Practice; Foundations of Social Work Practice; Social Work Practice with Children and Families; Models of Intervention; Direct Practice in Social Work, Social Work Research; Interpersonal Practice with Individuals, Families and Small Groups; Human Behavior in the Social Environment, and many others.

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.

There has been a surge of recent interest by social work researchers in conducting research in criminal and juvenile justice settings. This is largely fueled by the tremendous increase in incarceration over the last several decades, with millions more in probation or parole at any given time. Rising expenditures strain state and local budgets and many individuals are spending much of their adolescence and young adulthood in correctional facilities. Despite the profound impact that the criminal justice system has on client populations served by social workers and related professions, there are few practical resources available to guide research in these settings. This Pocket Guide fills a critical gap in the literature by providing state-of-the-art techniques for researchers, graduate students, and agency administrators. Research in criminal justice settings represents unique challenges that require rigorous designs and a suite of methods, as well as the tools to navigate a complex system. With this accessible and practical guide, readers will encounter a wide range of study types and data sources, along with strengths and weaknesses to consider with each as they conceptualize, implement, and analyze their research. Crucially, the authors also provide advice on how to gain and manage access to these settings, as well as templates for preparing a successful Institutional Review Board application. Step-by-step procedures elucidate the use of extant and administrative data, and practical case examples, sample forms, and measures will help researchers implement their studies quickly and effectively.

Exposing readers to "what works" across a wide range of practice domains, Readings in Evidence-Based Social Work meets a growing need within schools of social work to incorporate the latest research on evidence-based practice into the curriculum. This one-of-a-kind reader synthesizes current knowledge, adds editorial commentary and questions, and presents state-of-the-art material to help students better understand which social work interventions work and why. Key Features: Uses systematic reviews to evaluate studies that test the effectiveness of evidence-based interventions Offers a three-part organization that focuses on the major practice domains of children and families, at-risk youth, and mental health and well-being Provides an overview of the techniques of meta-analysis and systematic review Includes original commentary and discussion questions before each major section and concludes each section with important practice points Discusses barriers to evidence-based social work practice, as well as directions for future work Readings in Evidence-Based Social Work is appropriate for a wide variety of courses within the Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) and Master's in Social Work (M.S.W.) curriculum including Generalist Social Work Practice; Foundations of Social Work Practice; Social Work Practice with Children and Families; Models of Intervention; Direct Practice in Social Work, Social Work Research; Interpersonal Practice with Individuals, Families and Small Groups; Human Behavior in the Social Environment, and many others.