Abuse Books

I'll admit that any book with the work heresies in the title has an automatic advantage in peaking my interest, but this volume does so much more than merely entice. MacCoun and Reuter have done an amazing job of looking that drug prohibition from a new point of view. Frankly, despite the passage of a few years, I believe that this book is absolute essential if one hopes to really understand the controversy over the War on Drugs.

Rather than attempt a summary of the contents, let me simply point to three specifics as representative of the wealth of insight the reader will encounter. First, MacCoun and Reuter have expanded the typical dichotomous legalization v criminalization perspectives to include depenalization and commercialization. Counter the arguments of drug prohibitionists, depenalization does not seem to be inextricably intertwined with massive increases in the prevalence of drug use as is anticipated with legalization. Also, legalization may have less negative increases in prevalence without the accompaniment of commercialization. By adding these two considerations, MacCoun and Reuter enable expansion of the debate into potentially fertile areas for improving the consequences of prohibition.

Secondly, the careful analysis of the 48 negative consequences of prohibition and the related causal linkage to enforcement, illegal status, and use should be the focus of careful reflection by every reader. In many respects, the damage caused by the War on Drugs is a kind of collateral damage - unintentionally caused by the implementation of US prohibition efforts.

Thirdly, MacCoun & Reuter reconceptualize the total harmfulness of illicit drugs as the interaction of three factors: prevalence, intensity, and micro harm (i.e., user self-damage). Much of the criticism of drug prohibition deals with the extensive micro harm without equal weight being given to the total harmfulness to our society. The negative correlation between prevalence and micro harm is among the more interesting possibilities to consider.

In summary, it is quite difficult to imagine a more sensitive evaluation of drug prohibition that so carefully considers the US case in light of the European context and the historical experience with legal addictive substances (alcohol and tobacco). I cannot recommend this book more highly.

Drug War Heresies may be the best book ever written about modern U.S. drug policy. Written by a psychologist and an economist, the authors draw on attempts to control other substances (such as alcohol prohibition in the U.S.) and exhaustively examine the alternative and experimental European drug policies that most American readers will find particularly useful. The authors are careful to not impose their values and beliefs into their work, instead focusing on the consequences of alternative drug policies. The result is a persuasive case for policy reform in America that is not doctrinaire. Required reading for all who are interested in illicit drug policy in America.

This is one of the most comprehensive, objective or "bi-partisan," and current studies available to the general public. Although it is indeed an academic study and is written to influence policymakers, the educated public can easily follow most of the arguments posited by MacCoun and Reuter. Both thinkers have extensive experience in the area of drug policy, both are senior consultants with RAND (Drug Policy Research Center) and have published a considerable amount of literature on the nature of drugs and drug laws. This dynamic text attempts a comparative analysis of vices, such as gambling and prostitution, with that of recreational drug use, including alcohol and tobacco. The purpose of this study is to research whether or not there are any correlations between vices and, if so - can they assist in our understanding of how to regulate drugs and the desires of individuals for drugs. For example, of the kind of comparisons made, is that of prostitution and gambling. Both are legal in Las Vegas, NV - both are thought to be harmful vices, nevertheless, the law has provided a place for them in a legal context - can the same be done for drugs? The text also evaluates extensively, the European models of drug law enforcement and treatment and compares them to America's own models of law and treatment. The authors do not offer any solutions to the drug problem, but what they have done is contribute a comprehensive study with an extensive and diverse amount of data on the subject, something of which has not been achieved as thoroughly as it has been done in this study. The authors also analyze many of the drug reformer's arguments and parse them for consistencies and/or inconsistencies; in the conclusion, they offer a sympathetic gesture to the reformer's contentions because the authors admit to realizing the inanity and harm current drug laws are causing society, but they do so cautiously. They realize that something "must change," but what? and the future can only hold speculations. This book is highly recommended.

Another interesting companion study is the Consumer Reports study that was released in 1972. It is comprehensive and treats the many aspects of the "drug problem" in America. See:

Breacher, Edward M. et al., Licit and Illicit Drugs: the Consumers Union report on narcotics, stimulants, depressants, inhalants, hallucinogens, and marijuana - including caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol. (Boston: Little Brown, 1972).

"In Drug War Heresies, Robert J. MacCoun and Peter Reuter ask whether drug prohibition makes sense and whether legalization might achieve a better balancing of the costs and benefits associated with drugs and drug policy. They draw on a broad range of social science literature, and they emphasize the lessons provided both by drug prohibition in other places and by prohibitions of other goods, such as alcohol and prostitution. In discussing this evidence, they raise most of the key issues that should be considered in evaluating drug policy. Their book is an excellent starting point for anyone who wishes to understand the debates about prohibition versus legalization.

MacCoun and Reuter make a compelling case that many evils typically attributed to drugs result instead from drug prohibition and its enforcement. According to their analysis, prohibition causes increases in property crime because users face elevated prices; increases in violent crime because traffickers cannot resolve disputes using the courts; diminishments of civil liberties owing to the difficulty of detecting crimes without natural complainants; increases in corruption of police and politicians; disruption of countries that produce coca and opium; diminishments of users' health because of poor quality control; increases in the spread of HIV because of prohibition-induced restrictions on clean needles; excessive restrictions on medical uses of drugs; and reductions in respect for the law bred by widespread violation of prohibition-among other consequences.

And yet the authors do not endorse legalization. They find great fault with the heavy emphasis on criminal sanctions in current U.S. prohibition, and they believe substantial deescalation to, say, the level of enforcement in western Europe, Canada, or Australia would diminish many of the harms of prohibition while causing only small increases in drug use. Still, they do not endorse legalization. Why not?

Their position rests on four arguments: that moving from weak, European-style prohibition to legalization would produce a substantial increase in drug use; that this increase would be a bad thing; that most of the benefits from legalization are achieved simply by deescalating prohibition; and that the effects of legalization are uncertain."

"The authors' basic points move in the right direction. They have done a great service in carefully, honestly, and scientifically considering both theory and evidence on the effects of alternative drug policies. Room remains for reasonable persons to disagree about certain pieces of evidence, but if more persons were to analyze drug policy as dispassionately as MacCoun and Reuter, both drug policy and the country would be in far better shape."

A wonderful book from a great professor. I was a student of Padma Catell's and found her dynamic teaching style, echoed in this book, to be straightforward and digestible. She used this text in our class, and it helped me to breakdown the wealth of the material and learn it with ease. As a result of her text, I am able to assist my clients in their understanding around meds, drugs, alternatives, and addiction. Very helpful book for students and practitioners alike - highly recommended!

Drugs and Clients: What Every Psychotherapist Needs to Know
by: Padma Catell

Issue Year: 2004
Category: Psychology
Publisher: Solarium Press

ISBN: 0929150767

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While most experts in psychopharmacology are psychiatrists, they represent less than ten percent of physicians, so most prescriptions for psychiatric drugs are written by internists, family practitioners, pediatricians, and gynecologists. At the same time, psychologists, social workers, and counselors provide the most psychotherapy, but they cannot prescribe drugs. This book is intended to help these professionals understand the benefits and hazards of medication, so they can better help their patients and consult more effectively with prescribing doctors. The author, a psychologist with a degree in biology, teaches pharmacology to graduate students; furthermore, she writes clearly and succinctly. Her book, while technically fairly sophisticated, serves a larger audience than the title suggests: patients, their families, physicians, and public health workers will benefit from this text, which deals mainly with treatment of conditions like anxiety, insomnia, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) depression, and psychosis, but includes chapters on alcohol, stimulants, and recreational drugs. Catell explains the effects of caffeine, the use of supplements, herbs, and oils, and pain medication. She goes beyond drugs to discuss ECT (electro-convulsive, or "shock" therapy) and TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation). She includes six appendices on brain function and mechanisms of action of various substances, about which less is known for certain than most laypersons realize. Tables and diagrams summarize and clarify the text. Each topic reviews diagnosis and etiology, including the relative importance of heredity and environment, if known. Catell's references are up to date, but she could have given more critical attention to the infrequent but life-threatening side effects of popular SSRIs, including Prozac and Paxil (although she does mention sexual side effects and the use of Viagra). Managed care and health insurance plans have pushed psychiatrists increasingly toward shorter sessions focused on medication, not psychotherapy, which is assigned increasingly to non-medical (and less expensive) practitioners. Splitting therapy in two parts requires that psychotherapists, who know their clients better than most physicians, also know a significant amount about medication, hence the need for this book. A related controversy is outside the scope of this book: some psychologists want training in pharmacology and, with medical supervision, to write prescriptions for therapy patients. Despite protests from the American Psychiatric Association, two states (New Mexico and Louisiana) have passed legislation allowing this experiment to proceed. Catell's excellent book stands as evidence that psychologists could bring an important perspective to the dispensing of drugs that most physicians lack: mental health expertise. (August)

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Review by: E. James Lieberman

Drugs & Clients: What Every Psychotherapist Needs To Know by Padma Catell (Associate Professor of Psychology, California Institute of Integral Studies) is a straightforward reference informing psychotherapists and lay readers alike of the basic facts concerning common psychoactive medications as well as non-prescription psychoactive drugs such as alcohol, antihistamines, nicotine, caffeine, cocaine, marijuana and more. Written in no-nonsense, unbiased terms, it describes the effects of drugs, how they are viewed by the modern American legal system, health risks, results of statistical studies, and more. A superb resource manual for anyone needing to acquaint themselves with the basics of common psychoactive chemicals.

A lucidly written, well-researched, fully updated survey of the field of psychopharmacology. Concise, eminently readable, thoroughly referenced, this gem of a book includes a tour d'horizon of various mental health problems - from sleep disorders to psychotic episodes. Each chapter reviews relevant medications and drugs, their effects, benefits, and dangers, as well as practical advice on how to administer and handle them. The clean and intuitive illustrations and tables enhance this tome's allure....Drugs and Clients is a must reference for anyone who deals with human suffering and the human mind. Sam Vaknin, author of Malignant Self Love - Narcissism Revisited.

I thought this was an excellent source of informaion. I used it for a class and earned an A. Very thorough and easy to understand. Lay terms are frequently used and I found I learned a lot and found it very valuable.

An excellent general overview, covering drug use and regulation, pharmacological basics, in-depth analyses of the legal drugs, tranquilizers and stimulants, narcotics, hallucinogens, and marijuana, and comments on "a rational look at drug use." Well-documented with an abundance of relevant quotes and statistics; a rich set of references follow each chapter.

I bought this book to study for a quiz-out test for my Psych major. I read through three chapters the first time I picked it up. I usually have to force myself to complete an assignment, but with this book I just kept reading with no pushing whatsoever! I highly recommend this book to anyone taking a class in this subject, whether or not it is the required text. It would be a great additional information source. It is helpful if you or someone you know may be going through any type of drug or alcohol treatment--from caffeine to heroin. I also enjoyed the online quizzes you are allowed to access once you have the book. It really enforces what you have learned.

This book is the source for unbiased information on the sociological, psychological, pathological effects of "drugs" - this compendium covers everything from caffeine to antipsychotics to alcohol to psychedelics and everything in between. A review of the history of each drug introduces each chapter. Careful attention is paid to not only the effects of the drugs themselves, but the effect which they have on our laws and the way in which treat addiction.

As a former student of Dr. Ray's I can attest to the thoroughness of this work. It is the one book that doesn't tell you what to think about drugs - it provides you with the data to be informed to make your own decision. In fact the DEA uses this book in training! If you are looking for a comprehensive resource for school, your own interest, or just to be informed to talk to your kids, look no further.

fast shipping, and product was in the shape it was promised to be in, thanks!

The book "Drugs,Society,and Human Behavior" was purchased online from Amazon.Com at a much reduced price from the College bookstore price. The transaction was hassle free and delivery in a very timely fashion. I would recommed this site as a great resource for purchases.

This product was great. I love the text in the book. It is interesting and it is placed in an easy to understand format. The text is relatable to the society and I would definitly suggest this book to someone else!

I was assigned readings from this book for my Biopsychosocial aspects of addictions class in graduate school for counseling. Compared to other textbooks, it is a relatively easy read, and there's a great deal of helpful information contained in it. My only complaints for the book thus far are that the chapters on physiology and anatomy include a great deal of information that assumes the reader already has a basis of knowledge in anatomy, biology, and physiology and certain terms aren't defined in context. Also, the book does not contain a great deal of information on "club drugs" such as ecstasy, ketamine, PCP, etc.

I once stated that the further you get away from AA, the worse the 12-steps are in new groups (CoDA, OA, and so on). This book and this organization were created for people with psychiatric illnesses who have chemical or alcohol abuse at the same time. I told my therapist more than once, "Look it. I do NOT want to be in a group with crazy people who have heroin needles hanging from their arms!" He replied mildly, "I don't think that will happen." Just the opposite happened! There WERE schizophrenics and hard drug users (especially cocaine)there. But they were REALLY nice, well-dressed, and honest. Wonderful people. These were DRA people. And this book is our handbook. DRA believes that the BIG BLUE book of AA states that it is alright to take psychiatric medication. I don't know about that. But this book is a gem. It states the entire format of DRA. Maybe I shouldn't say this. But just between you and me, the members of DRA seem to be members of AA as well. I'm doing both. I have been 101 days without alcohol. How did I do it? My psychiatrist looked me straight in the eye and told me that the combination of Valium (I'm a Valium addict) and booze will turn my brain into mush. I REALLY hate him. But he may have helped me more than anyone. He suggested DRA. So did my therapist. But I fell for the cognitive therapy bit so much (SMART, RR. and so many other "test tube" semanticists). My psyciatrist said that I'm an "alche who takes 'goof balls'". And that he would quit on me if I drank again. This book and the Big Blue Book are absoluely essential for people who have psychiatric disorders (I have major depression) and chemical dependency. Don't go the Albert Ellis and Jack Trimpey route. Thinking doesn't cause one to be depressed or to drink. It can be the death of a spose, trouble with one's job, or just a feeling of hopelessness. Follow AA and DRA and get well. Avoid CBT and RET because they sell. Thank you. And thank you Dr. Carraway. You were very tough. But it did work. BUY THIS BOOK!

To my knowledge Dual Recovery Anonymous as a fellowship does not exist in the UK. So for a person who wants a twelve step approach to dealing with the dual recovery of a psychiatric or emotional illness plus an addiction to drugs or alcohol this book is excellent.

It explains so much which will give you hope and identification. There are several personal stories in it each dealing with a different psychiatric diagnosis. I found mine in there and it was just such a huge relief to read a story so very like my own.

It offers hope for recovery in a very realistic and empathetic way to those afflicted with a dual diagnosis based on the twelve step recovery programme of Dual Recovery Anonymous.

A must for anyone in this position who wants an insight into the twelve step approach to managing both illnesses. There are other books: a step book, a daily readings book and apparently a workbook. I stress though that a book alone cannot replace the expert help of a psychiatrist, doctor, therapist or real fellowship of actual people..all of which are promoted in this book.

Wow! This book is fantastic!

I spent years in recovery from substance abuse ignoring or minimizing my mood disorder. And never understood why I was clean, sober and miserable. And unfortunately many of the well-meaning people in A.A. and gave me some incorrect information. "You're having a dry drunk", "Medication is a crutch," "You need to work the steps harder".

Even after I realized that there was another illness that I was powerless over, it took me years to begin to understand how the two illnesses were entwined. This book has proved an essential tool in my recovery. It is laid out much like the Big Book of AA and focusses on recovery through the 12 Steps and Fellowship.

Many of us have even gotten together to form a group of Dual Recovery Anonomous - where we study The Dual Disorders Recovery Book. We're still active in AA but have gotten so much out the extra information and guidance provided by this book.

While a certain reviewer of this book thinks it is somewhat helpful, he chides readers to stay away from any presentation purporting to say that Cognitive Behavior therapy is the least bit helpful for people with depression or addictions. He states that 'thinking' has nothing to do with depression. He apparently spends all his time reading books to write reviews (222 that I counted)and ignores the scientific literature. This book is based on science and offers a format which is easily understandable. I highly recommend it.

Each Day a New Beginning has been a meditation book of mine for years - a dear and beloved start for each day of mine. Then this journal came along and I thought, oh why not.... I've never been a journaler, have been given many "beautiful" books, but just never used them. This one I use, EVERY DAY!!!! One of the reasons is that there is a limited and rather small amount of room to write each day - so I can jot down the highlights and not feel like I "failed" becauase I did not fill a page or whatever. Love it.

Excellent journal. I've been reading the daily meditations book for many years now and have been writing thoughts on the margins of the pages. Now I have space to write my thoughts. It's great to be able to go back years later and see how my views on different subjects have changed ... or how I've grown.

I hate to write so when I realized my need to journal to keep what I had gotten this book is perfect. I read the page for the day and journal how today was in relation to the reading. It's great! I fill the page everyday since the day I received the book.

I don't think we as human beings actually recognize the power of daily reading, meditation, and reflecting. Practicing these powerful principles allows us to remain mindful of the moment and reflect upon the deeper question in our lives. To devote ourself to a daily meditation and to journal on these quiet times is priceless and will certainly aid in the evolution of our soul. For me this practice has allowed an awakening to take place and opens my life up to all the opportunities that are available in this universe. Please give this practice a try! This book will help you in your journey of living and cultivating an active consciousness in your daily life.

Richard A. Singer Jr. Author Your Daily Walk with the Great Minds of the Past and Present.

A MUST read!

"Enough Already", by Bob Tyler, is an excellent resource for anyone with an alcohol/drug problem who is considering seeking help, as well as for loved ones, addictions counselors, and anyone in recovery from addiction. Speaking from the heart, Bob provides a comprehensive and easy to understand primer concerning how to seek out help for an addiction problem, and what to expect along the road to recovery. His book is also a great reference for anyone working in the field! I particularly enjoyed his treatment of the 12 Steps - especially Step 3 - turning our lives over to a beneficent higher power.

John Newport, Port Townsend, WA

A great companion book is one by Charles Hamilton Sr.

Be sure to read: A Step of Faith

I read this book today. I have been "sober" since 1987 and working in the Recovery Treatment Profession since 1989. This is THE BEST book offering 12 step recovery, personal anecdotes and a thorough but easy to understand explanation of "relapse prevention" on the market! This is a MUST for the library of all persons effected by addictions. Whether you are a seasoned therapist, student, recovering person or a family member, buy two (2) of these wondeful texts. Buy one for yourself and one for a friend, family member or colleague!

As a student in a drug and alcohol counseling program, I have found Mr. Tyler's book to be extremely useful. His explanation of the twelve-step program process is comprehensive and insightful; and I believe it would be invaluable to anyone entering the field who has not yet participated in one of the many 12-step programs out there. I am on my second reading of this book already; and I am sure it will become a major tool for me upon graduation and entry into the substance abuse counseling field. Well done, Mr. Tyler!

Excellent for beginning CD counselors. Has a vast amount of useful information for the beginning and the seasoned counselor.

This is the best text for a course in Chemical Dependency Counseling that is available. It a great deal of information that a beginning counselor needs to work in the field. It even includes a chapter on how to deal with the reluctant to recover and one on how to servive in a chemical dependency agency, most useful!

This is an essential book for anyone in the chemical dependency field or who is treating individuals with chemical dependency. It is the best one I have read yet.

Covers (exhaustively) the 12 core competencies specified by the ATTC and required for certification by any state. It is excellent.

This book was very helpful. It's unfortunate that more books are not written like this one to help christians discern error. The writing was biblically balanced.

In an unhealthy church it is considered rebellion when decisions are questioned. Matthew 23 is referred to as giving example of where the Christians loyalty should be -- To Christ. The author gives the traits of abusive leaders and unhealthy churches. He gives a list of warning signs:
1) Power positioning
2) Unquestioned Authority
3) An atmosphere of secrecy
4) Elitist attitude
5) Performance emphasis
6) Fear motivation
7) Painful exit
There are a list of questions for discussion at the end of each chapter. One valuable point in the book is; when leaving a controlling church, it is impossible to leave correctly in the eyes of the abusive pastor.
If you are suffering under the control of a manipulating leader, this book will help you put things into proper perspective.

this is a well written book and well researched. You not only identify forms of abuse but also are provoked to look at yourself and see if you are harboring anything. Very good for some one who is feeling something is just "not right." Great help and insight.
There are questions at the end of every chapter that deal with the issues discussed in the charpters just read. Makes you think.

I have just come out of a church just like this. I couldn't believe that this book described it to a T. It was absolutely amazing. It really helped me and my husband. It put to rest a lot of questions that we had and made us realize that we aren't bad or crazy people. There are really places like this book describes. If you are in an abusive church or have come out of one, I say READ THIS BOOK. It came in the mail last week and I opened it and read it in 2 1/2 hours. I did not put it down. That is GOOD! Enjoy and God bless!

To all those who love God but who do not want to be abused in God's name by their church leaders, you'll love this book. If you've ever felt you've given your best and you didn't run at the first sign of trouble in a church, but there came a point when you had been stripped of so much inside that you had to go, yet you were talked about from the pulpit as if you had given up on God, this book is for you! Don't use it as an excuse to not submit to your church leaders, because clearly God tells us we should. Don't use it to justify leaving a church because the leaders didn't listen to you about changing the songs the choir sings or because the pastor didn't come visit you in the hospital. That's not what it's about. Use it as a guideline to see when the things that you're being pressured to submit to cross the line from godly submission to man's manipulation and control. For those who would try to tell you that this book is not from God, remember this--David had a submissive attitude to Saul, when he was in Saul's house and afterwards. But when Saul tried to kill David because of his own emotional demons, DAVID RAN and GOD BACKED DAVID! So don't let church leaders tell you that you're wrong to leave a church in which abuse is being justified in God's name.

Theresa Alexander documents her own Primal Therapy experience in a direct narrative form depicting her intital three week intensive. Chapters alternate between client point of view and therapist point of view. Insightful, poignant,and ultimately hopeful. I cried my way through the book, and sighed at the end.

This is probably one of the best books on Primal Type Therapy available today. While Arthur Janov's books reached a large number of interested readers, promising early "cure" for neurosis, he never explained the actual process of the therapy. As a result, a number of people who tried to go through it alone, were very confused. Some of them did well, but others (both patients and therapists) misunderstood the therapy and landed up in difficulties. Ms Sheppard Alexander's book is unique in that she describes the process, step by step in a way that the unsophisticated reader can understand, and the professional can find meaningful and helpful. I have personally passed this book on to several clinical psychologists and their response has been most enthusiastic. Lay people who I have shared it with have also found it moving and helpful to themselves. The writer describes her own childhood traumas in a way that anyone can understand and identify with. More importantly she talks about how, through the therapy, she was able to start working through these traumas, and transform her life from being a frightened, bewildered 20 year old, who dropped out of college, into the successful mature professional she is today. Highly recommended reading for anyone interested in the 'deep feeling psychotherapies'. - Pat Torngren

This book wonderfully outlines a healing process that we all possess in varying degrees. The author's courage in revealing her own journey provides a very meaningful backdrop to "Deep Feeling Therapy". I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in bringing about lasting personal change in themselves. Don't let the fact that it is out of print give you the wrong impression. I paid a premium to purchase it used - worth every penny!

Its just a very good book. Its not just for those in pain. Thersa Alexander had a horrible childhood, and yet she came out alive and well, and has thrived as a thearpist and a person. I highly recommend this book.