Concepts of Chemical Dependency [Paperback]

Harold E. Doweiko (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 6, 2005 | ISBN-10: 053463284X | ISBN-13: 978-0534632847 | Edition: 6

Doweiko's comprehensive text reflects the current explosion of information regarding the understanding, identification, and treatment of addictive disorders. In addition to his thorough examination of the use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, barbiturates, amphetamines, cocaine, opiates, and hallucinogens, and his solid strategies for working with clients, Doweiko discusses topics frequently left out of other books--such as aerosols, steroids, and over-the-counter analgesics. Additionally, the text investigates such salient topics as the differences between abusers and addicts; drug effects on children, teenagers, and pregnant and nursing women; and children of alcoholics--ensuring that students gain a professional's understanding of one of the most pressing issues of our time.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is an excellent graduate level test, the first that IÂ've seen that provides an academic discussion of the biopsychoscocial aspects of substance abuse, at both individual and societal levels. The author is courageous enough to critically discuss many of the "sacred cows" of traditional substance abuse treatment literature, including Abstinence only programs, 12 Step programs (including the offshoots of CODA and ACOA), and the Minnesota treatment model. These discussions are even handed, drawing from research studies to support or question the "common knowledge" of addiction science; from diagnosis through treatment and long term recovery."

"This textbook provides the best overall introduction to substance abuse counseling. It can be used for beginning and advanced counselors."

About the Author

Dr. Howard E. Doweiko has been employed by the Department of Behavioral Health Gundersen-Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin, for the past 14 years, working with the addictions treatment team, as well as more traditional psychotherapy populations. He teaches professional seminars at Gundersen-Lutheran and occasionally at other facilities. Dr. Doweiko is an adjunct professor at Viterbo University in La Crosse, and has served as an adjunct faculty member at various colleges in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Product Details

• Paperback: 608 pages
• Publisher: Brooks Cole; 6 edition (July 6, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 053463284X
• ISBN-13: 978-0534632847
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #555,168 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Critique of Concepts of Chemical Dependency by Doweiko, June 21, 2007

By 

Barbara Greten (New Haven, CT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Concepts of Chemical Dependency (Paperback)

This book gives a solid overview of chemicals of use/abuse, focusing particularly upon alcohol. The one caveat I have about recommending it unconditionally is that the author seems to interweave his bias along with the factual material, such that it is sometimes hard to tease out the actual facts from the propaganda. But the book is user-friendly and, if someone is wanting to get an overall sense of various substances of use/abuse and their effects, this book certainly has much to offer.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars comprehensive yet lengthy, January 26, 2009

By 

J. D. Johnson (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Concepts of Chemical Dependency (Paperback)

I bought this textbook as a required text for an addiction program planning course. The author implements his opinion throughout the book. The chaters tend to be long, and concepts are reiterated without clarity. I would have liked more detail on the biochemistry of drug transformation. I do appreciate the correlation the author makes consistently regarding prescription drugs and the potential for addiction especially for individuals in recovery.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Misleading, October 1, 2010

By 

Addiction Counselor - See all my reviews

This review is from: Concepts of Chemical Dependency (Paperback)

As a Licensed Addiction Counselor looking through this book, I was shocked at how inaccurate or misleading some of the information is. I cannot believe that these inaccuracies made it through the editing process and were published; and are being taught to College Students. The college in my town uses this in an undergraduate glass. There are a number of outdated sources. There is information within sections that contradicts what was previously written. I was focused mostly on the Chapters 27-35, due to being requested as a speaker in the class that uses this text. I particularly disagreed with much in the Evaluation Section. The most glaring inaccuracy that I noticed is the DSM-IV TR Criteria. There are 7 specific criteria for a diagnosis of Substance Dependency; and there are 4 criteria for a diagnosis of Substance Abuse. They did not differentiate Dependence versus Abuse. The chapter also made is sound like it was an option for diagnosis; however it is a requirement to have a diagnosis from the DSM-IV TR.
The ASAM information in here is minimal and inaccurate as well.
If I were the professor of a Chemical Dependency class I would not use this text. It does not seem that the person actually writing the book as any clinical experience working within the Addiction Field.