SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS. A BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL PERSPECTIVE

List of figures
List of tables
List of boxes
Preface
Acknowledgements
Organization of the book
• Part I. Identifying the Causes and Consequences of Disordered Substance Use
1.The biopsychosocial perspective and research methods for investigation of substance use disorders
2. Diagnosis of substance use disorders
3. The disease concept
• Part II. The Neuroscience of Substance Use Disorders
4. Psychopharmacology: drug effects on brain function
5. Brain function and substance use disorders
• Part III. Biopsychosocial Risk Factors
6. Genetic influence on substance use disorders
7. Behavioral, cognitive and social factors promoting SUD
8. Psychiatric disorders, personality and developmental factors
• Part IV. Use Disorders with Specific Drugs
9. Alcohol: a dangerous drug
10. Alcohol use disorders
11. Tobacco use and nicotine addiction
12. Cannabis use disorders
13. Use disorders of cocaine and methamphetamine
14. Opioid use disorders
15. Tranquilizers and sedative use disorders
• Part V. Treatment of Substance Use Disorders
16. Treatment of substance use disorders
References
Index

This textbook surveys the current knowledge on substance use disorders (SUD), summarizing scientific evidence from numerous fields. It uses a biopsychosocial framework to integrate the many factors that contribute to addictions, from genetic predispositions, neurological responses caused by drugs, co-occurring psychiatric disorders, personality traits, and developmental conditions to cultural influences. Real-life vignettes and first-person accounts build understanding of the lived experience of addiction. The currently accepted practices for diagnosis and treatment are presented, including the role of 12-step programmes and other mutual-assistance groups. The text also investigates the research methods that form the foundation of evidence-based knowledge. The main body text is augmented by study guideposts such as learning objectives, review exercises, highlighted key terms, and chapter summaries, which enable more efficient comprehension and retention of the book's material.

Features
• Lays out the history and current status of disease theory, including its benefits, supporting evidence, and limitations
• Looks into the nature and role of mutual-assistance groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, in promoting recovery from addiction
• Includes real-life examples that illustrate the essential features of substance use disorders
• Describes addiction as a behavioural disorder with disease-like characteristics and biopsychosocial origins

Author
Perry M. Duncan is Emeritus Professor in the Department of Psychology at Old Dominion University, USA. There, he has taught courses in behavioral neuroscience, psychopharmacology, and substance use disorders to undergraduate and graduate students for forty years.