Customer Reviews

Alcoholism and Other Drug Problems

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1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book goes into more depth on alcoholism than any other I have found. This recent edition also includes information on other drugs. For a nuanced discussion of causation, disease concept, family effects, this is the book to buy.

I haven't read the entire book but have skimmed through it. I am amazed at the statistics recorded by the authors and how they are able to show the problems associated with alcohol and drugs from a medical standpoint. The authors treat alcoholism as a disease, which I have no problems with, but this doesn't mean that an alcoholic doesn't have any responsibility. They point out that alcohol-related problems costs our nation more than any other drug. Obviously the number of drunk-driving incidents shows that something is wrong in our culture.

I liked a number of things about the book, including the sociological aspects (a great history of alcohol in America is included as well as the cultural groups alcohol has most affected) and the section on prevention and intervention. Anyone who has been affected by alcohol--whether there is an alchoholic in the family or you yourself are addicted to it--ought to look through this book for a sobering look at what I feel is a genuine social epidemic.

David Scratchley, co-author, had been passing himself off as a "Clinical Psychologist and renowned Addictionologist" when in fact he is only a chemical-dependency professional. He was arrested September 2, 2011 on charges of the attempted rape of a 10-year old boy. Police searching his house found child porn and crack cocaine. He tried to get his girlfriend involved, she turned him in.

He promotes a "spiritual solution" to alcoholism. I don't think I'd accept any spiritual advice from this man and certainly would want any of my money ending up funding his commissary.