Customer Reviews

Uppers, Downers, All Arounders, Fifth Edition

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

The authors, Darryl Inaba and William Cohen do a great job of keeping this book very open and simple. They cover almost every drug (5th edition) which a counselor may run into when talking with his students. As a research or higher level order book though, this would not do as it is just too brief on most subjects to really get to know indepth pharmacology or pharmacodynamics on most of the psychoactive drug actions. There is a lot of history, and even a CD-ROM to help you familiarize yourself with many topics of addiction in a very short period of time. In some sections, there is some really good information on drugs I have not seen on the pharmacy shelves for at least 12 years. If you are someone who wants to quickly get to know the subject of psychoactive drugs, then I highly recommend this book for you. His vocabulary is such that it is easy to read, without too much of a serious tone-- and you will not even need a highliner to remember the facts. This book is packed with knowledge. Very enjoyable reading for a change, with lots of good and interesting photographs that make you think. You will enjoy this book, for it is written in a very unique format that makes you want to relax and just turn each page and learn. guyairey

An excellent, full color and clearly laid out guide to nearly every drug on the market today, illegal, recreational, and medicinal. Lots of photographs, quotes from people who have used the drugs, side effects, addiction and safety information, charts and graphs. This book was a help to me both for researching a book I was writing and for looking up the drugs my 89-year-old grandmother is taking for her pain.

I highly recommend this book.

Note: I have not seen the newest edition - I borrowed the former (3rd) edition of this book (published 1997)...but it's SO good I'm contemplating the purchase of my own copy...but it's a GREAT book...I have paged through countless books of this and other types - this one is vastly superior to anyting else I've seen. It is complete and honest. Quite admirably, it is executed without a pro or anti-drug agenda, it is (in my opinion) a truly unbiased and informative work on the subject of psychoactive chemicals. It covers their history, use, effects, abuse, dependence, tolerance, and withdrawl.
The '97 edition was very well organized. It included all the right details - a skillful balance between completeness, efficiency in conveying the necessary details, and ease of reading (agreeably medium density material). It is a comprehensive work, suitable for both browsing and reference.

I haven't seen the newest, 4th edition (year 2000), but the 1997 edition was bettered in every way, by the inclusion of anonymous, convincing, informative accounts of recovering addicts. Those really shed light on the drug experience, lifestyle, highs and lows alike...it is very easy reading - Dr. Inaba (and his colleagues) have written an excellent work: informative, comprehensive, accessible, and entertaining (with tasteful humor).
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about psychoactive drugs and their many facets; whether you're trying to understand your teenager, experimenting yourself, or self-educating as a policy-analysis primer... this is the book for you.

Note: this book does not include information on the preparation of any "drugs", it is strictly an educational reference, not a drug user's guide.

It is a 10/10...

I am currently using this text in teaching intro to alcohol and drug studies. This is the most accessible text on the issue I have seen, and it is a keeper for the students. I have yet to see it show up on the shelves of the U. bookstore as a used text, meaning my students keep it.

There are many substance abuse / addiction books on the market today, but of all the ones I read, this book is the most informative and up to date. Daryl Inaba does an excellent job in presenting complex material in comprehendible language. It is definitely a worthwhile investment for every professional working in the addiction's field. The third edition of this book has been released (Late 1997).

Rare that one picks up a text as this and wants to read it cover to cover but in fact that is exactly what happened to me when I cracked this jewel open. I was just browsing at my university's medical bookstore and stumbled upon this invaluable text with a potent array of well documented, well footnoted, authoritative sources.

If you are a medical professional, member of an allied profession (e.g., MFT's who deal with drug counseling, et cetera), or just a member of the public wishing to become more informed, this book is a solid resource to add to your library. Inaba facilitates this learning process by providing a full explanation of how psychoactive substances evolved historically, how they exist both illegitimately and legitimately in society contemporaneously, and of course how the substances actually affect the human organism on the molecular and physiological level.

In short, if you were forced to buy only one text on the subject matter, this would be the one without doubt.

The book contains very detailed interesting information and even though I had to purchase this book for a class, this might be the only textbook I own that I actually enjoy reading

This textbook is an excellent reference for counselors who want to work with clients / patients with addiction issues. It is a very technical book with very detailed information on different substances and the authors groups the substances just like the title of the book "uppers, downers and all arounders." In addition, the authors also introduced the aspect of behavioral addiction which I think it's relevant for this day and age.

I highly recommend this book and every therapist should have it on his or her bookshelf!

This is the most complete, up-to-date definitive work on substances of abuse; their history, chemistry, and effects, as well as an overview of treatment issues. Anyone working in the substance abuse field in any capacity should have this book.

This book is easily read cover-to-cover. There are excellent descriptions, illustrations, histories and sited personal experiences from drug users abusers of several illicit and licit drugs and the professionals who study or enforce their use/misuse. The text is captivating and Dr. Inaba brings pride to the profession of pharmacy for this extremely useful information needed in many job fields (i.e. pharmacy, law enforcement, substance abuse counseling) or for drug-curious leisure readers. I read it for leisure while pursuing a career in substance abuse counseling and have referred to it many times while in pharmacy school.