Understanding Drug Misuse (Models of Care and Control)

What do drug users think about their own drug use?

This seldom-asked question is the focus of Jan Keene’s unique exploration of drug misuse. Covering the full breadth of medical, social and psychological approaches to drug use, this book offers analysis of the full range of drug-related problems, interwoven with frank – and often challenging – user perspectives.

Combining theory and research evidence with extracts from the author's own interviews with drug users, this insightful text explores:

— drug use, drug dependence and discussion of maintenance versus abstinence;
— health risks, harm minimization and public health solutions;
— social harm, social exclusion, and problems of community safety and crime;
— practice implications for harm minimization, treatment, after-care and relapse prevention.

With practical guidance that will shape all work directly related to drug policy or practice, Understanding Drug Misuse is a fundamental text for those studying substance abuse and addiction studies. It also makes fascinating reading for specialist and generic workers in the fields of health, social care and criminal justice.