Substance Misuse in Adolescence

This book untangles popular beliefs about substance abuse issues from historical, clinical and research evidence to address questions such as: What factors cause teenagers to abuse drugs and alcohol? How much of a role do economic factors and neighbourhoods play?

Following an introduction which outlines the social history of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine and heroin, the volume examines: individual, family, peer and community variables that contribute to substance misuse; resiliency factors that enable some adolescents to avoid such problems; substance abuse in rural and urban settings; pharmacological effects; and current treatment approaches.

This seems to be a very useful book. It is a collection of review essays on specific, relevant topics in adolescent substance misuse, rather than the usual assortment of empirical reports that belong properly in journals. It is appropriately cross-disciplinary. Each chapter ends with a clear and concise summary. The problem has generated a rich and complex research literature, one that merits a coherent and comprehensive overview. Some of the chapters in this book contain useful reviews and interesting insights. --Stan Sadava in Addiction What factors contribute to the misuse of drugs and alcohol among teens? Does one′s economic background or ethnicity play a role in their avoidance or involvement in substance misuse? Substance Misuse in Adolescence explores these questions and untangles widely held beliefs about substance abuse issues using historical, clinical, and research data. This volume begins with an introduction to the social history of tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, and heroin and then examines individual, family, peer, and community variables that may contribute to substance misuse as well as resiliency factors that enable some teens to avoid such problems. It also discusses substance misuse in rural and urban settings, the pharmacological effects of specific substances, and current treatment approaches for substance-misusing youth. It also includes coverage of drug legalization issues and a lucid discussion of the current effectiveness of various prevention programs. Researchers, graduate students, and practitioners who want the latest synthesis and view on adolescent substance misuse will find this volume a useful addition to their libraries and classrooms.