Addictions Books

This book was well worth buying. It really has helped and I found it very enjoyable to read. It wasn't boring or filled with medical terms as other books on this topic that I have read. It was packed with information and tips to really help someone stop smoking. I'm so glad I read it!

Dr. Giannone, where have you been all my life? I felt like this author was talking to me personally; he does an incredible job of making the reader "look into the future" and see what that future holds if the reader continues to smoke. This book is easy to read with just enough medical information, and a lot of logic. Thanks again, Dr., I'll never smoke again.

I must admit that I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. The cover appeared somewhat different from "professional" texts, but the material contained therein more than makes up for the cover design. Knowing little more than the theory behind the TC, I was well informed when I had worked through this one. The structure of the TC management, the details of how the addict is transformed through the unique TC community to a productive, stable member of society, and everything in between is covered. Aside from working in one, I have yet to see anything that comes close. The TC terms are covered and many details are thrown in. From the first minute someone contacts a TC through their re-entry, there is a reason everything is done. This book provides those reasons. The author has worked with Daytop, a leading national TC treatment provider.

Therapeutic Community: A Practice Guide

A Review

This is a great TC handbook. I do appreciate the author for writing the book.

It was written based on the author's rich and varied job experiences in several TC settings. His writing shows his broad and deep theoretical knowledge of the TC. Greater knowledge and insight into the TC are some benefits the reader will gain from the book.

The book provides knowledge of importance to practitioners to guide him in the practical and proper applications of the TC methods. Through each chapter the author systematically presents essential concepts and important issues that TC practitioners must be knowledgeable about.

The Introduction by Susan-Grace R. Manalo, providing a testimony of a recovered addict and her struggles in the TC, illustrates a real-life story of the process of change that she has to undergo through the TC to find her self and start a productive life.

The chapters on the General Perspective on Treatment and Rehabilitation and A Brief Overview of the TC provide the necessary background for the reader to put in context the information in the succeeding chapters.

The chapter on Establishing the TC Environment weaves the important elements and aspects of TC to form the necessary treatment environment. The rest of the chapters that explain the various categories of TC treatment tools and interventions provide detailed descriptions of how they are applied and the theoretical basis of how and why they work. The discussion on the Privileges in the TC informs the reader of its significance and clinical value. The author explains adequately, through sufficient example and illustration, the TC's primary tenet of "Community as Method" in his discussion of the Role of Counselor or Staff in TC.

The special tools of Emotional Interview and the Intake Interview in TC are adequately explained. The applications of cognitive dissonance theory and the principle of coercion in the intake interview process as well as in the applications of the behavior shaping tools are explained clearly. The reader gains the necessary knowledge on how to perform interviews effectively.

Spirituality in the TC outlines the stages of spiritual development of residents in treatment, and identifies the humanistic elements of the philosophy and approaches of the TC. This chapter helps the reader view addiction as a human problem that involves the whole person.

The Phases of Treatment and Reentry Program provide a conceptual understanding of the developmental nature of treatment in TC and outlines crucial stages and tasks that residents in TC must go through to prepare them for re-entering society. Both chapters are informative and offer practical guide for practitioners.

The author identifies important family issues that TC practitioners must attend to when working with the families of drug dependent clients in discussing the Role of the Family in the TC Program. Guidelines for organizing family programs are also provided and practical suggestions for activities are given.

The inclusion of a chapter on Relapse Prevention is very useful and gives the reader insight about the essential subject of relapse and its process, as well as necessary knowledge and practical guidance of relapse prevention and coping strategies. The metaphor of "learning to ride a bicycle" to illustrate the learning process of abstinence and sobriety is apt.

Special attention is paid on the Application of the TC Methods to Adolescent Drug Abusers, which highlights the differences between adolescent and adult drug abusers, their treatment issues, and treatment approaches. Finally, the chapter on Evaluating the Treatment Effectiveness and Outcome of the TC emphasizes the need for monitoring treatment effectiveness and outcome. Some of the common outcome measures are explained as well as the limitations of outcome research. Simple procedure for monitoring treatment effectiveness and outcome is provided for the reader.

Overall, the book is easy to read and provides useful and practical guide to TC practitioners.

Gouw Aij Lien
Bandung, Indonesia

I have been working in the addiction treatment field for over 20 years, including in the Therapeutic Community setting. This book is the best overview of the model ever done. It provides a balance of the theory behind the philosophy and interventions of the TC, while also speaking to the specific activities which take place. If you really want to read about the premise of this approach, this book is the place to start.

As a rank amateur, a square who volunteers at a 'half-way house' for indigent returning ex-offenders and recovering addicts, I have found this book of immense value in suggesting ways in which group living can be combined with 'self help' and even cognitive-emotional-behavioral therapy as a positive force for personal change. But it also told me much more than I wanted to know about the details involved in running a large scale program with significant financial and residential resources and a professional staff. Its relatively brief discussion of the "stages of change" can be complimented by the excellent "Group Treatment for Substance Abuse, a Stages-of-Change Therapy Manual," by Mary Velasquez and her colleagues.I hope this author soon turns his considerable experience and expertise and abilities as a clear exponent of complex ideas to the problems faced by programs run on a shoe string, with no professional staff, but attempting to serve persons with problems and life circumstances exactly like those of the typical TC resident.

Amazing recount of recovery, he puts into words feelings and thoughts so many encounter but can't. Definitly reccomend this book to anyone.

Heyy Dave,
Good book for a first. I didnt even know you rote books and defanitaly did not know you were and acoholic. Well Dave, please try to contact me. Im still on Davis Rd. and same phone number.
-Pat-

Too often we are confronted with sex, violence, pain and fear from our television, newspapers, and movies, in realistic but fictional stories. We enjoy or shun these revelations based upon our own experiences and beliefs, but they serve only one purpose--to entertain.

Not so with the book, The Thorn of Sexual Abuse!

Sex is a very central part of every culture...it can be beautiful; it can be abused...but it will never, not be a part of the family environment. For many many individuals, their feelings regarding sex have arisen from very early experiences, many of them abusive or inappropriate for the young. Sexual abuse...sexual addiction is a common occurrence...so why is it not discussed?

Why? Because, it is oftentimes the family members or close neighbors who are the ones abusing our young. If we were willing to share, all of us would have at least one experience remembered from our youth...no matter how minor. Reading how a man and a woman, both abused, can meet and find a friendship and forgiveness can be a means through which we can find our own forgiveness.

Beth Sterling shares of a neighbor's touching when she was young, too young to understand, yet old enough to know what he did was wrong. Enter Paul, a man Beth had met in Church, who is discovered to be a sex offender...of young children. And she has children.

Many young children are never able to forget the early offenses made on their bodies; many others follow in the same paths and become offenders. This book tells a story of those involved in sexual offenses...all of us must understand and know how this happens and what to do about it. The Thorn of Sexual Abuse provides an excellent way to learn about this crime that will, unfortunately, never end and, also unfortunately has become more prevalent through the Internet.. The book takes us into our early homes...our present homes. This book reveals what we've held in our hearts for many years, perhaps, and this book helps us through the healing process.

This book is the best I have read regarding the victims of sexual abuse. Thank God there are those who are willing to open their secret lives to help others.

Too often we are confronted with sex, violence, pain and fear from our television, newspapers, and movies, in realistic but fictional stories. We enjoy or shun these revelations based upon our own experiences and beliefs, but they serve only one purpose--to entertain... Not so with the book, The Thorn of Sexual Abuse! Sex is a very central part of every culture...it can be beautiful; it can be abused...but it will never, not be a part of the family environment. For many many individuals, their feelings regarding sex have arisen from very early experiences, many of them abusive or inappropriate for the young. Sexual abuse...sexual addiction is a common occurrence...so why is it not discussed? Why, because, it is oftentimes the family members or close neighbors who are the ones abusing our young. If we were willing to share, each of us would have at least one experience that they will remember from their youth...so reading how a man and a woman, both abused, can meet and find a friendship and forgiveness is something that each of us must read. Beth Sterling shares of a neighbor's touching when she was young, too young to understand, yet old enough to know what he did was wrong. Enter Paul, a man Beth had met in Church, who is discovered to be a sex offender...of young children. Many young children are never able to forget the early offenses made on their bodies; many others follow in the same paths and become offenders. This book tells a story of those involved in sexual offenses against our young...all of us must understand and know how this happens and what to do about it. The Thorn provides an excellent way to learn about this crime that will, really, never end...but it does it in a way that shows that none of us are safe from it...the book takes us into our early homes...our present homes...this book reveals what we've held in our hearts for many years, perhaps, and this book helps us to begin to heal and forgive... This book is the best I have read regarding the victims of sexual abuse...and who among us can truthfully say that we were never affected by early introductions into the world of sex...Thank God there are those such as Beth and Paul who are willing to open their secret lives to help others.

The subtitle, "The Addiction America Applauds," suggests that something is askew in our culture. Could it be the Protestant work ethic racing down the tracks out of control in a way that was never intended?

The authors look at the historical and spiritual roots of this problem, and though they permit you to skip the historical info and move straight to the practical stuff, I found it interesting.

Since almost all of us are caught up in this addiction to one degree or another, it would be hard to read this book without finding lots of changes you can apply to your own life.

Ok, required may be a little strong but it is definately recommended. Hits home for many of us on the work/spend/consume treadmill. Scripture-based and well researched, this text provides guidance and assurance that there is truly more to life than grabbing for the brass ring. I provide a copy of this book to my practice members.

Excellent book that considers several factors including gender guiding lines, family atmosphere, culture, as well as the nature of addiction in providing an analysis of these three sad lives.

Very well crafted work here. The author provides a great deal of compelling evidence to suggest how early Lifestyle patterns influence faulty thinking later on in life. Beyond the technical aspects of this technique, this book takes great pain to identify the struggles each of these men underwent to set things right in their lives, while still falling victim to their deeply habituated behavior. I never fully considered how common these compensatory behaviors are in comedians, and this book definitely holds a light up to this phenomenon.

In contrast to the now popular emphasis on addictive drugs "hijacking" the brain reward centers and producing pleasure, Dr. Khantzian life work has pursued an alternative route in explaining why addictive drugs can become so compelling in an individual's life. His emphasis has mainly and consistently been on the human psychological vulnerabilities involved in addictive suffering. Based on three decades of clinical work with patients, as well as numerous clinical investigative studies, Dr.Khantzian has persuasively instructed us that suffering and problems with selfregulation are at the root of addictive disorders. His work has repeatedly underscored that individuals who become dependent on addictive substances (including alcohol and nicotine) do so not because they seek pleasure or self-destruction (some have considered addictions as "suicide on the installment plan"), but more because they use alcohol and other addictive drugs as an attempt to self-medicate their suffering and to regulate their lives. Although in the long run such attempts cause great disruption in peoples' lives, in the short run individuals have the powerful discovery that each class of drugs have appeal because they relieve a range of painful feelings and help to cope with powerful emotions and behaviors that for them are otherwise overwhelming and unmanageable. Dr.Khantzian has been described as the "father of the self-medication hypothesis of addictive disorders," and has also written extensively on "self-care" deficits associated with the addictions, the importance and utility of modified group techniques and self-help groups in recovery and effective treatments. Dr. Khantzian writes persuasively, evocatively, and compassionately about the human vulnerabilities involved in addictive disorders. Dr. Alan Stone, Professor of Law and Psychiatry at Harvard University, has characterized Dr. Khantzian as a "master ý clinician exploring the internal world of the addicted person ý convincingly demonstrating his self-medication hypothesis," and novelist Dr. Michael Palmer has said that Dr. Khantzian's book, Treating Addiction as a Human Process, is a "highly intelligent volume that can be read with pleasure and awe from beginning to end. It is the cornerstone on which the next generation of knowledge in addiction medicine will be built." Dr. Khantzian has been acknowledged as a pioneering clinician in understanding the psychological and psychiatric pain associated with substance use disorders, and his focus on the self-medicating function of abused substances, and the refinement of his work stressing addict's ego deficits of selfregulation and self-care have become the standard in the field of addiction treatment.

Edward J. Khantzian is Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, and a founding member of the Department of Psychiatry at The Cambridge Hospital. He has spent more than 20 years studying psychological factors associated with drug and alcohol abuse. Dr. Khantzian is a practicing psychiatrist and psychoanalyst,participant in numerous clinical research studies on substance abuse, and lecturer and writer on psychiatry, psychoanalysis, and substance abuse problems. Dr. Khantzian has been involved in studies diagnosing psychiatric disorders in heroin addicts, the psychological nature of addictive vulnerability, group therapeutic approaches for cocaine abusers, and studies of polysubstance abusers. His studies,publications, and teaching has gained him recognition for his contributions on selfmedication factors and self-care deficits in substance use disorders and the importance of modified techniques in group therapy for substance abusers. "The above words are not mine ,they were taken from another web site and posted here for information purposes. It would be wonderful if a truly new light has shone in this whole area of addiction and a new understanding begins to grow."

In contrast to the now popular emphasis on addictive drugs "hijacking" the brain reward centers and producing pleasure, Dr. Khantzian life work has pursued an alternative route in explaining why addictive drugs can become so compelling in an individual's life. His emphasis has mainly and consistently been on the human psychological vulnerabilities involved in addictive suffering. Based on three decades of clinical work with patients, as well as numerous clinical investigative studies, Dr.Khantzian has persuasively instructed us that suffering and problems with selfregulation are at the root of addictive disorders. His work has repeatedly underscored that individuals who become dependent on addictive substances (including alcohol and nicotine) do so not because they seek pleasure or self-destruction (some have considered addictions as "suicide on the installment plan"), but more because they use alcohol and other addictive drugs as an attempt to self-medicate their suffering and to regulate their lives. Although in the long run such attempts cause great disruption in peoples' lives, in the short run individuals have the powerful discovery that each class of drugs have appeal because they relieve a range of painful feelings and help to cope with powerful emotions and behaviors that for them are otherwise overwhelming and unmanageable. Dr.Khantzian has been described as the "father of the self-medication hypothesis of addictive disorders," and has also written extensively on "self-care" deficits associated with the addictions, the importance and utility of modified group techniques and self-help groups in recovery and effective treatments. Dr. Khantzian writes persuasively, evocatively, and compassionately about the human vulnerabilities involved in addictive disorders. Dr. Alan Stone, Professor of Law and Psychiatry at Harvard University, has characterized Dr. Khantzian as a "master ... clinician exploring the internal world of the addicted person ... convincingly demonstrating his self-medication hypothesis," and novelist Dr. Michael Palmer has said that Dr. Khantzian's book, Treating Addiction as a Human Process, is a "highly intelligent volume that can be read with pleasure and awe from beginning to end. It is the cornerstone on which the next generation of knowledge in addiction medicine will be built." Dr. Khantzian has been acknowledged as a pioneering clinician in understanding the psychological and psychiatric pain associated with substance use disorders, and his focus on the self-medicating function of abused substances, and the refinement of his work stressing addict's ego deficits of selfregulation and self-care have become the standard in the field of addiction treatment.

Edward J. Khantzian is Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, and a founding member of the Department of Psychiatry at The Cambridge Hospital. He has spent more than 20 years studying psychological factors associated with drug and alcohol abuse. Dr. Khantzian is a practicing psychiatrist and psychoanalyst,participant in numerous clinical research studies on substance abuse, and lecturer and writer on psychiatry, psychoanalysis, and substance abuse problems. Dr. Khantzian has been involved in studies diagnosing psychiatric disorders in heroin addicts, the psychological nature of addictive vulnerability, group therapeutic approaches for cocaine abusers, and studies of polysubstance abusers. His studies,publications, and teaching has gained him recognition for his contributions on selfmedication factors and self-care deficits in substance use disorders and the importance of modified techniques in group therapy for substance abusers. "The above words are not mine ,they were taken from another web site and posted here for information purposes. It would be wonderful if a truly new light has shone in this whole area of addiction and a new understanding begins to grow."

As a chemical dependency student, I've found this to be an invaluable supplemental reference to my textbooks. The book aims to help counselors match clients with appropriate treatment approaches, covering six major approaches for non-physicians: (1) 12-step models, (2) psychodynamic, (3) marital/family, (4) cognitive behavioral, (5) contingency management, and (6) motivational approaches. The chapters are divided accordingly, with different experts writing on each approach. There is also a chapter on psychopharmacological approaches to treatment written by Kathleen M. Carroll. The final chapter shows how clinicians often use aspects of many of the approaches covered in this book in clinical practice. The section on 12-step models was not as comprehensive as I would have liked, though there are plenty of books out there dealing with the subject more concretely. The purpose of this book was to provide a basic overview of the kinds of treatment approaches being utilized for substance use disorders in clinical practice. Published in 2003, this second edition is well written and still current.

Lennon is musics greatest gift since Bach! Buy it. It's a Lennon classic of his pre-Beatle favorites.....

This book is unbeatable when it comes to resources for understanding and creating good solid goals that match up with diagnosis for various services in the mental health field such as counseling, case management, community supports, CAP, and others. The book gives clear examples of broad and specific goals and interventions that would be effective with each. If you are making a treatment plan and want evidence based goals, or you are using person centered planning this book is for you. Everyone in my office bought one after we were introduced to it and it has really helped with getting approval from the state with our plans for community support services. I suggest trying to find it used, although the later editions have more information. I have purchased several for others and the prices have ranged from $15 to $40.

Very good road map to person centered planning. Many of us in the Mental Health field "talk the talk" and this book shows us how to "walk the walk". A must have for anybody working with people, not only in Mental Health or Substance Abuse but for the medical field as well.