It has long been recognised that clients with addiction problems need a skilled and thoughtful response when they come into contact with social services. However, students often find that policy and the law surrounding working with drug, alcohol and substance misusers can be complex and often unclear. This fully-revised third edition will help students cultivate the skills required to work effectively with clients and service users who misuse drugs and alcohol. There are clear introductions to the law and to social policy in this area, while the author considers how a holistic approach can be effective when working with this particular client group. Case studies and reflective exercises are used to draw out these key skills. The book also features sections on anti-oppressive practice with a focus on service user empowerment. With this third edition comes new material on social work practice with alcohol misusers, making this book even more essential reading for students and practitioners who want to engage with clients who struggle with addiction.

This book provides a comprehensive and practical account of this important area of health and social care and provides a basis for social workers to develop a rounded approach to their practice with drug and alcohol users.

Substance use has become an increasingly common concern for all aspects of social work practice, and especially when working with mental health and vulnerable families. This requires all social workers to have sufficient education and training in alcohol and other drugs across a range of settings. This volume presents evidence from a number of major studies which examine the current state of social work education in relation to substance use. These contextual considerations are complemented by specific applied analyses which explore classroom, methodological, practice and theoretical considerations within both the UK and America. Substance Use in Social Work Education and Training provides a strong evidence base for the effectiveness of appropriately-targeted education and support given to social workers. It further substantiates calls for a greater inclusion of more on substance use in social work education and curricula. This book is based on a special issue of the journal Social Work Education.

This student text covers all aspects of working with drug and substance misusers, including the history and changes in policy on substance misuse and the differences between working with young and adult clients. Recent government initiatives and legislative changes are carefully outlined, while discussions on why people take drugs, the policy implications of harm reduction and abstinence approaches to substance use/misuse are related back to practice so that readers understand how to engage with the client group and the reasons for varying success across treatment approaches.

Here, leading international contributors outline holistic and specialist approaches to policy and practice, and highlight the shift in emphasis from immediate risk minimization of substance misuse to long-term recovery, the importance of prevention and the pivotal role of workforce development.

This book offers a new approach to help students to understand problematic substance use across a range of social work practice settings. Written from both an anti-discriminatory and evidence-based perspective, the book highlights successful responses to the issues. Each chapter includes reflective exercises and examples of further reading, challenging students to critically reflect on their practice. The book provides a detailed understanding of: " Historical and current policy relating to prohibition and drug use " A range of substances and their potential effects on service users " Models of best practice including screening and assessment, brief intervention, motivation approaches and relapse prevention " Particular issues and needs of a diverse range of service user groups This will be an essential text for social work students taking courses in substance use and addiction. It will also be valuable reading for qualified social workers and students taking related courses across the health and social care field.

"This is an excellent resource for anyone working with families. The useful, concise guide to types of drugs, their uses, what they look like and what symptoms they cause is something to be referred to again and again. The book also provides important reminders to encourage those working with adult substance misusers and those working with the children of drug misusing parents to work together and understand each other's roles." Jane Bee, Safeguarding Children Service, Gloucestershire, UK "All Social Workers should have a copy of this book ... It has a clear layout and features useable information and practical advice, which you can dip in and out of as and when needed ... Having read this book, I certainly feel better equipped and more confident in being aware of the issues that may impact people, and being able to assess them and know where and who to refer onto people who could best help them." Lucy Lenton, Social Worker for Adults with Learning Disabilities "A well written and informative guide which will prove invaluable to the busy Social Worker. Easy to use and no need to read from cover to cover, just simply 'dip' into the chapter that is required, and I particularly like the 'Example from Practice' inserts." Catherine Rhodes, Qualification Development Officer, Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council "An essential read for anyone working with substance users or someone who just wants to learn more about the subject. Heanue and Lawton have created an excellent source for any social work practitioner. This book is a clear, easy read with boxes in each section to highlight key points, checklists and examples of practice." Louisa Saunders, Newly Qualified Social Worker "I am delighted to endorse Working with Substance Users - I have long been waiting for such a textbook to recommend to students embarking on placements in this vital area of practice. Heanue and Lawton have succeeded in providing information which is relevant and practical, without being patronising, and in highlighting the significant role which social workers can play in this area." Dr Sue Taplin, Centre for Social Work, University of Nottingham, UK Social workers are often faced with issues of substance misuse, whether they work in children's services, adult services or mental health. Part of a new Social Work Pocketbooks series, this book offers a practical guide for social workers to refer to on a day-to-day basis. Useful features include: Real case examples Reminder boxes and end of chapter checklists Points of law Handy reference guide to drugs and their effects Example questions to ask service users to elicit the information you need to know Written by authors with widespread experience in the profession, this pocketbook will assist students and social workers in: Understanding drug and alcohol misuse Assessing the risks Recognising how and when to intervene Liaising more effectively with drug treatment services