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"This book takes an integrative approach to the understanding of drug use and its relationship to social-cultural factors. It is lucidly and powerfully argued and constitutes a significant achievement. The authors sensibly argue that in order to fully understand and explain drug use and abuse it is necessary to take into account different levels of analysis, reflecting distinct domains of human functioning; the biological, psychosocial, and cultural-historical....Overall, this book represents an exceptional achievement and should be of interest to drug clinicians and researcher as well as social scientists and students."

--Professor Tony Ward, University of Melbourne

Substance use and abuse are two of the most frequent psychological problems clinicians encounter. Mainstream approaches focus on the biological and psychological factors supporting drug abuse. But to fully comprehend the issue, clinicians need to consider the social, historical, and cultural factors responsible for drug-related problems.

Substance Use and Abuse: Cultural and Historical Perspectives provides an inclusive explanation of the human desire to take drugs. Using a multidisciplinary framework, authors Russil Durrant and Jo Thakker explore the cultural and historical variables that contribute to drug use. Integrating biological, psychosocial, and cultural-historical perspectives, this innovative and accessible volume addresses the fundamental question of why drug use is such a ubiquitous feature of human society.

provides an inclusive explanation of the human desire to take drugs. Using a multidisciplinary framework, authors Russil Durrant and Jo Thakker explore the cultural and historical variables that contribute to drug use. Integrating biological, psychosocial, and cultural-historical perspectives, this innovative and accessible volume addresses the fundamental question of why drug use is such a ubiquitous feature of human society.

Addressing issues important to prevention, treatment, and public policy, the authors include

A comprehensive, historical survey of drug use An exploration of the evolutionary basis of drug-taking behavior Historically and culturally based explanations of drug use and abuse Inclusive approaches that complement mainstream biopsychosocial perspectives

Designed for upper-division undergraduate and graduate students in psychology, counseling, sociology, social work, and health departments, Substance Use and Abuse: Cultural and Historical Perspectives will also be of significant interest to drug clinicians, researchers, and social scientists.

Tabla de contenidos provista por Syndetics

• Preface
• 1 What Needs to be Explained and How Should We Explain It?
• Introduction
• Levels of Analysis & the Multidisciplinary Nature of Psychoactive Drug Studies
• Towards an Integrated Model of Substance Use & Abuse
• Overview
• Endnotes
• 2 The Nature & Scope of Substance Use & Abuse
• Introduction
• What Is a Drug?
• Who Uses Drugs?
• Taxonomy of Drug Use Contexts
• The Harms & Benefits of Drugs
• From Use to Abuse
• Summary
• Endnotes
• 3 An Evolutionary Perspective
• Introduction
• The Nature and Role of Evolutionary Explanations
• Has Drug Use Been Selected For?
• Drugs & the Brain
• Drug Use, Sexual Selection, and Life History Theory
• From Use to Abuse
• An Integrated Evolutionary Model of Substance Use
• Summary
• Endnotes
• 4 Drugs in History
• Introduction
• What Can History Tell Us about Substance Use and Abuse?
• A Brief History of Drugs
• Summary
• Endnotes
• 5 The Forces of History: Explaining Patterns of Use and Abuse
• Introduction
• The Functions of Drugs in Historical Perspective
• Pharmacology
• New Forms, New Modes, New Substances: The Impact of Technological Change on Drug Use New Forms, New Modes, new Substances: The Impact of Technological Change on Drug Use
• Availability
• Economic and Political Factors
• Legislation and Public Policy
• Social Factors
• A Complex Web: Multiple Influences on Patterns of Drug Use
• Summary
• Endnotes
• 6 Drugs and Culture
• Introduction
• Conceptual & Methodological Issues
• Indigenous Patterns of Drug Use
• Drugs & Multiculturalism
• Summary
• Endnotes
• 7 The Role of Culture: Explaining Patterns of Use
• Introduction
• Drugs and Culture
• Culture and Drugs
• Social Structural Factors
• Integrating Cultural Explanations
• Explanations
• Summary
• Endnotes
• 8 Conceptualizing & Treating Substance Use Problems: A Cultural-Historical Perspective
• Introduction
• The Pre and Early History of Addiction
• Treatment for Alcohol & Drug Problems in the Nineteenth Century
• The Changing Face of Drug Addiction: 1914-1960
• The Alcoholism Movement
• Contemporary Developments
• Culture & Classification
• Implications
• Endnotes
• 9 Prevention, Treatment & Public Policy
• Introduction
• Prevention
• Assessment
• Treatment
• Legal Sanctions, Regulations, & Restrictions
• Harm Reduction
• Conclusion
• Endnotes
• References
• Author Index
• Subject Index

Notas de autor provistas por Syndetics

Russil Durrant received his Ph.D. from the University of Canterbury, where he also ompleted a Post Doctoral Fellowship. He then worked at the Centre for Behavioral Research in Cancer at the Cancer Control Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia. His research involves the design and evaluation of mass media tobacco prevention programs, and his other research interests include evolutionary psychology, cultural psychology, and the social history of drug use. He currently teaches at Griffith University - Gold Coast Campus in Queensland, Australia.

Jo Thakker is a lecturer in clinical psychology at the University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Canterbury and has worked as a clinical psychologist in a variety of therapeutic contexts. Along with work in the substance abuse area, her research interests include cultural psychology and mental health issues in relation to migrants and refugees.