Main description:

The misuse of drugs is now so widespread that it affects, either directly or indirectly, a high proportion of the population, impacting upon many areas of daily life. The consequences for individuals, families and the wider community can be devastating. The second edition of this handy pocket-sized reference provides an up-to-date, accessible and authoritative guide to the symptoms and signs of drug misuse and the basic principles of treatment for many of the most commonly encountered substances such as heroine, cocaine, amphetamines, cannabis, alcohol and ecstasy. Any specialist medical terminology used in the book is clearly explained for the lay reader in the glossary, and where appropriate, the legal aspects of substance misuse are highlighted, with reference to the most recent legal statutes, making it an ideal book for medical and non-medical specialists alike.

Contents:

Introduction; 1. Methods of administration; 2. Harm minimisation and reduction; 3. Drugs, statutes and legal requirements; 4. Medical and health complications of substance misuse; 5. Substance detection; 6. Summary of information on each drug group; 7. Glossary of medical and 'street' drug-related terms; 8. Bibliography; 9. Conversion chart for height; 10. Conversion chart for weight; 11. Glasgow coma score; 12. Field impairment testing process.