Nursing Care Of The Alcoholic And Drug Abuser

1995. 528 pp., illustrated

Substance abuse is a crisis of international concern. Substance Abuse Education in Nursing, Volume II expands upon the content in Volume I, and is particularly suited to the advanced baccalaureate level of educ ation. Volume II offers nurse educators - as well as educators prepari ng physicians, social workers, teachers, and counselors - the most cur rent information on the recognition and treatment of this tragic disea se. As a comprehensive resource, educators will find this book indispe nsable when updating existing curricula, developing learner objectives, and assessing educational outcomes.

Drawn from conceptual, theoretical and practice perspectives, this work provides guidance through the broad realm of addictions nursing practice. Practical knowledge and skills that can be applied in a variety of settings by any nurse in any area of practice are included. Topics discussed include: prevention; screening/detection; assessment/diagnosis; detoxification; and sobriety-focused care. Common problems and current issues related to addictions nursing practice are also addressed, including ethical issues, cultural consideration, client dropout, and health-care policy and reform.

Nurses are acknowledged as key agents in addressing alcohol and drug misuse at individual, family, and community levels. Addiction nursing is central to the assessment, management, and care of people with problematic use of psychoactive substances (both legal and illegal). Work takes place in a wide range of settings, from traditional hospital clinics and wards to community locations such as police custody suites and needle exchange facilities. Addiction for Nurses is a comprehensive textbook for students, explaining the role of the nurse at each stage of intervention. Early chapters approach the subject from sociological, historical, and cultural perspectives, covering significant topics such as the nature of addiction, its social context, and addiction theory. The book then presents vital information about each of the main areas of addiction (nicotine, alcohol, opiates, cannabis, psychostimulants, and hallucinogens) with clinical and practical guidance on recognition, assessment, and treatment intervention strategies. Further chapters consider dealing with emergencies, blood-borne viruses, harm reduction, and work with specific client groups (for instance, black and ethnic minority communities, or those with special needs). This book is an essential resource for all those who come into contact with alcohol and drug misusers and for specialist addiction nurses preparing for practice in this complex and rewarding field.

This book is a revelation and warning to the public and the healthcare community of the hidden impact and consequences of improperly confronting substance abuse within the nursing profession. It allows nurses to express in their own voices the risks and devastation of addiction and their journeys into recovery.