Passionate, professional, and unfailingly astute, Dr. Khantzian examines his patients' internal worlds, revealing vulnerabilities while uncovering resiliency and strength. This book, comprehensive in scope, abundant in clinical material, and written with clarity and intelligence, provides a depth of understanding of substance use disorders and an increased hope for recovery.

In Treating Addiction: Beyond the Pain, Edward Khantzian offers a collection of his recent works on the study and treatment of substance abuse and addiction. Based on his five decades of experience in working with substance dependent individuals, this volume builds upon Khantzian’s theory of addiction as self-medication and provides insights into how addiction is rooted in human psychological suffering, and not pleasure seeking or self-destruction. Almost without exception, life histories of human discomfort, disconnection, and unhappiness leave those so burdened to be vulnerable to the appeal of addictive drugs, including alcohol. Khantzian’s sensitive teaching voice weaves together an annotated collection of previously published papers into a powerful and engaging volume of effective practice-based treatments. A timely complement to his earlier collection Treating Addiction as a Human Process, this book provides an inclusive and accessible resource for mental health professionals from any background as well as graduate students and those in training.

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.

Find fresh perspectives on the treatment of addictions and effective methods for helping recovering alcohol and drug abusers in this valuable book!Addiction in Human Development provides practical strategies based on theories of human development for working with clients recovering from alcoholism and drug addiction. An understanding of these theories will help therapists and addictions counselors recognize stages of recovery and better select appropriate interventions for every phase of treatment of addicted clients.Addiction in Human Development shows how a developmental perspective is particularly appropriate to the treatment of alcohol and substance abusers and the patterns involved in their addiction. Disruptions in clients’childhood or adolescent development, stemming from their own or a parent’s drug abuse, can influence their present recovery process. This informative book also describes the developmental course of addiction and provides tools designed to interrupt addictive patterns. In addition, stages in the developmental process of recovery are identified to help therapists select appropriate interventions.Some of the topics related to human development and addiction covered in this insightful volume include developmental deficits and developmental arrest in recovering clients, delayed reactions to sexual abuse and other childhood trauma, stages in recovery from alcoholism or drug addiction, developmental issues in the professional’s own life, and multi-problem families with a multigenerational history of substance abuse. Applying these developmental strategies to work with addicted individuals will significantly improve communication and rapport between helping professionals and recovering addicts and lead to more success in alcohol and drug addiction therapy.

Motivation is key to substance use behavior change. Counselors can support clients' movement toward positive changes in their substance use by identifying and enhancing motivation that already exists. Motivational approaches are based on the principles of person-centered counseling. Counselors' use of empathy, not authority and power, is key to enhancing clients' motivation to change. Clients are experts in their own recovery from SUDs. Counselors should engage them in collaborative partnerships. Ambivalence about change is normal. Resistance to change is an expression of ambivalence about change, not a client trait or characteristic. Confrontational approaches increase client resistance and discord in the counseling relationship. Motivational approaches explore ambivalence in a nonjudgmental and compassionate way.

Addiction: A Human Experience fosters a greater awareness of those who develop substance abuse problems and the treatment of these individuals. The book provides a basic overview of the addiction process, with a special focus on what the experience is like for the addicted person. The second edition also implements the new DSM-5 criteria. The book focuses on theories concerning why people become addicted, the role of counselors, and the relapse and recovery process. The material also addresses spirituality, as well as harm reduction and relapse prevention. Numerous case examples serve to illustrate real-world experiences with addiction and the recovery process. Other specific items covered include: Understanding the Effects of Addiction on Thinking Twelve Step Sober Support Groups Gorski's Relapse Process Romantic Relationships in Early Recovery Addiction as a Family Disease Process Addictions Co-occurring Disorders Designed to be a supplement to standard psychology textbooks addressing substance abuse, Addiction: A Human Experience gives readers a deeper understanding of--and compassion for--those seeking treatment for their addiction.