Medical Education In Drug And Alcohol Abuse

Sources related to the Career Teacher Program in Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, created by the NIAAA and NIDA in 1971. Besides introductory material and curriculum objectives, the catalog contains 183 references to books, journal articles, papers presented, audiovisuals, and teaching aids and lectures. Entries give bibliographical information and abstracts. Lists of centers, teachers, and institutes, all with addresses. Subject, author indexes.

During the last few centuries, and particularly in recent decades, problems result ing from the excessive use of drugs and alcohol have spread virtually as an epidemic to every country in the world and to almost every community. Abuse of alcohol and drugs is related to numerous other health problems, such as the spread of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) on all continents. Health and social services today cannot afford to ignore this crisis since it affects all levels of society and manifests itself in diverse health and social problems. In recent years, the World Health Organization has received numerous requests for training material for physicians in this field. This manual therefore meets an urgent need. The availability of new data and the dearth of suitable textbooks have made its preparation mandatory. The influence of sociocultural factors on drug dependence and alcohol related problems-on their cause, development, and consequences as well as on their treatment and prevention-has been taken into account in the preparation of this manual in order to ensure that its usefulness is not limited to one country or region. It has been prepared primarily for the teaching of physicians and medical students, although much of it is relevant to the training of nurses, midwives, health educators, primary-care workers, medical social workers, counselors, and psychologists. In fact, suggestions have been included for adapting the manual for use in the training of such varied groups of students.

All across the United States, individuals, families, communities, and health care systems are struggling to cope with substance use, misuse, and substance use disorders. Substance misuse and substance use disorders have devastating effects, disrupt the future plans of too many young people, and all too often, end lives prematurely and tragically. Substance misuse is a major public health challenge and a priority for our nation to address. The effects of substance use are cumulative and costly for our society, placing burdens on workplaces, the health care system, families, states, and communities. The Report discusses opportunities to bring substance use disorder treatment and mainstream health care systems into alignment so that they can address a person's overall health, rather than a substance misuse or a physical health condition alone or in isolation. It also provides suggestions and recommendations for action that everyone-individuals, families, community leaders, law enforcement, health care professionals, policymakers, and researchers-can take to prevent substance misuse and reduce its consequences.