Alcohol & Alcoholism Vol. 40, No. 2 © Medical Council on Alcohol 2005; all rights reserved
BOOK REVIEW
Young People and Substance Misuse. By I. Crome, H. Ghodse, E. Gilvarry and P. McArdle, Gaskell, London. £15.00. 240 pgs. ISBN 1 904671 01 2
Young People and Substance Misuse is a very useful, comprehensive, clearly laid out and illustrated book, aimed primarily at professionals working in the field. It provides a comprehensive discussion of definitions of substance abuse, a discussion of prevalence and an understanding of the ever-increasing attraction of substances of abuse to teenagers. It sets out clearly modes of assessment and treatment.The book moves from the assessment of the individual young person to a discussion on ethical and legal principles. It offers a model for the development of services which is so lucid and succinct, that I would deem it essential reading for all providers and commissioners in the field. There are chapters that can be read and debated at length; difficult areas such as competence, consent and confidentiality are all addressed. It is also possible to use the book to swiftly address practical issues such as the requisite physical investigations that may follow the initial engagement of a young person, and mental state examination.
I found the key points or summaries at the beginning of each chapter particularly helpful. The practitioner can work through the book as a whole or browse through the book for advice on specific topics and issues as they arise clinically. There is a strong emphasis on the evidence base underlying specific topics such as the use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. Each chapter is well referenced with a range of evidence drawn predominantly from English and American studies.
The evident expertise of the authors places them in the ideal position not only to contrast a range of approaches from pharmacological through behavioural to family therapy interventions but also to reflect historically on those initiatives that have been more or less successful. Evidence for and against each approach is economically weighed so that the practitioner looking for specific guidance would be reassured both by the quality of practical advice available and by the clear conclusions provided.
In my opinion, this book provides a very welcome addition to the field. Despite being multi-authored it offers a wide range of expertise without repetition or loss of editorial coherence. This book provides an evidence based, concise manual for the assessment and treatment of substance misuse. It outlines the underlying rationale for such work and promotes service development. It is bound to be essential reading for practitioners both new and familiar to the field.
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