The First Session with Substance Abusers [Hardcover]

Nicholas A. Cummings (Author), Janet L. Cummings (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 6, 2000 | ISBN-10: 0787949337 | ISBN-13: 978-0787949334 | Edition: 1

It is during the critical first session with substance abusers that clinicians have the first, and all too often the last, opportunity to break through the wall of denial and create an atmosphere of trust that is so crucial to changing behavior. Written by a father-daughter team of clinical psychologists, The First Session with Substance Abusers outlines a proven plan for conducting an initial session that can uncover substance abuse problems with clients no matter how resistant or manipulative they may be. Applying the methods outlined in this book, psychologists and health professionals can use the first session to assess and evaluate the depth and duration of the substance abuse problem and motivate the client to begin the most appropriate form of treatment.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Therapists may have failed to detect underlying addictions because they had no compelling model for assessment and treatment. Cummings and Cummings illuminate this previously murky area and provide an easy-to-follow beacon for clinicians of all persuasions. My highest recommAndation." (Jeffrey K. Zeig, director, The Milton H. Erickson Foundation)

"Full of insights and pearls of clinical wisdom. The Cummings' experience spans over five decades-they have seen trAnds come and go, and as a result they have rather solid information as to what truly works. Also, since a substantial number of clients seen in psychotherapy settings have substance abuse problems unknown to the therapist, the effective and modern clinician cannot afford not to have this book nearby." (J. Lawrence Thomas, neuropsychologist, New York University Medical Center, and author of Do You Have Attention Deficit Disorder?)

"The First Session with Substance Abusers is a book built on the authors' combined 50 years of rich clinical experience. The father-daughter team of Drs. Nick and Janet Cummings have written a book full of practical suggestions, anecdotes, stories, and sage perceptions. For all of those working in the field of substance abuse treatment, this book provides a clear point of view and specific ideas about ways to carry out the challenging task of treating substance abuse." (Simon H. Budman, president, Innovative Training Systems, Inc., and assistant professor, Harvard Medical School and staff, Children's Hospital, Boston)

"Drs. Cummings skillfully describe the biopsychosocial ramifications of substance abuse. Anyone who treats substance abusers but is not fully familiar with the facts that this book so eloquently documents is bound to bypass significant assessment-treatment processes-to the detriment of their patients and themselves." (Arnold A. Lazarus, distinguished professor emeritus of psychology, Rutgers University)

"This book is a worthwhile addition to the book shelves of addiction counsellors and health professionals in general." (Addiction Today, September 2001)

From the Inside Flap

In denial about their self-destructive behavior-and skilled at hiding it-substance abusers often survive a first psychotherapeutic session virtually undetected. In fact, it has been estimated that those suffering from substance abuse go undiagnosed 80 percent of the time during the initial clinical interview. As a result, instead of creating an alliance with their patients that permits acknowledgment and empathy for the underlying addiction, clinicians are all too often manipulated into recommAnding initial treatment that is misguided or inappropriate-unknowingly assisting patients in the continuation of their denial.Now there is an antidote. The First Session with Substance Abusers offers clinicians an innovative plan for conducting an initial session that has proven successful in unearthing substance abuse problems with even the most resistant and manipulative clients. Using the methods outlined in this book, mental health professionals can assess and evaluate the depth and duration of the substance abuse problem and motivate the client to seek the most appropriate approach for treatment-all within the first session.Written in straightforward language and with a healthy dose of humor, this much-needed resource is filled with the information, illustrative examples, and directions clinicians need to choose the most effective modality of treatment. The authors also reveal how to deal with issues of transference and countertransference, cope with inevitable crises, establish mutual goals, and make the necessary referrals crucial for the ongoing support of recovery.Authored by a father-and-daughter team of clinical psychologists, The First Session with Substance Abusers brings together Nicholas Cummings' more than forty years' experience working with substance abusers and Janet Cummings' expertise in molecular biology, genetics, and psychopharmacology. Together they have developed a classification of drug abuse that combines the physiological with the psy

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (June 6, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787949337
• ISBN-13: 978-0787949334
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,468,165 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, March 2, 2011

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Nina M. Buzzell (Newport, Maine) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The First Session with Substance Abusers (Hardcover)

This book was everything that it was described to be. I would recommend it for anyone going into the counseling field, especially those who plan to work with substance abusers. The authors give great insight on what traps to look for that you as the counselor may fall into and the tricks the abuser may try with the unknowing counselor. They also offer insight into the role of the co-dependents and what impact they can have on the abuser.