Drug use affects nearly 1 out of 2 Americans and cuts across every social and economic boundary. The effects of addiction on the individual are great, and the cumulative effects on society are staggering. Knowledge of the adverse effects of mood-altering drugs, why they?re used excessively, how to identify persons at risk, available resources for users, and the problems addicts encounter trying to become drug-free helps us form an appropriate response to today?s drug problem. The Facts About Drug Use is an essential tool for accomplishing these objectives.This remarkable book enables those with little or no background in science or health care to understand the often complex issues of drug use. In jargon-free language, Barry Stimmel discusses the differences in the psychological and physical effects of various drugs and how particular substances affect certain people in different ways. He provides current, reliable, and unbiased information on methods for dealing with drug dependency, alcohol and central nervous system depressants, hallucinogens, heroin, nicotine, marijuana, caffeine, amphetamines, designer drugs, and steroids. The Facts About Drug Use is based on considerable research and professional experience. To facilitate more extensive research, selected references are listed in the final section of the book. A glossary listing common street names for drugs will be invaluable to those interested in identifying specific substances.Some of the specific areas covered in this in-depth book are
- discussions of who uses drugs and reasons why
- how to classify mood-altering drugs
- how to identify and treat drug dependency
- areas of special concern such as multiple drug use, AIDS and drug use, drugs and pregnancy, drugs and sports, drug testing technology, and the failure of the war against drugsChapter by chapter, this nonjudgmental book helps readers develop a better understanding of the effects of mood-altering substances and the reasons many continue to use them despite serious consequences. This is a valuable key to the nature of dependency and addiction, and the external forces (including poverty and homelessness) that promote such behavior. The Facts About Drug Use is the first step to a solution of one of our society?s greatest problems.
