Reference Reviews

Lawrence Looks at Books

Encyclopedia of Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment & Recovery, edited by Gary L. Fisher and Nancy A. Roget. 2 vols. 1,092p. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2009. 978-1-4129-5084-8; 2008-22786. $350.

Students and professionals in the fields of substance abuse prevention and treatment are the primary audience for this new encyclopedia. Essays on models and theories of addiction and prevention outline key concepts like abstinence, sobriety, enabling, or codependency. Examinations of the neurological affects of specific classes of drugs detail the biological basis of addiction. Articles on disorders, disease and injected drug use explore related health issues. Many legal, criminal and social questions are discussed in essays on public policy. However, the bulk of the more than 350 articles address issues that professionals face in the course of treating clients. Thus, considerable attention is given to the methods of screening and diagnosing addiction. From aversive therapy to twelve-step programs, many entries explore the effectiveness of various treatment options. Social support groups, barriers to recovery and relapse prevention are also emphasized. The scope also includes behavioral addictions such as eating disorders, gambling and compulsive shopping. Preparation for the profession is heavily featured in numerous articles on standards, training, ethics and professional organizations. An emphasis on expectations and current practice make this set an excellent resource for those preparing for work in these fields. Therefore, this title is highly appropriate for academic libraries.