Review by Choice Review
Stimmel has prepared a wonderful book for readers with newly awakened interest in the topic of substance abuse. In part 1, Stimmel provides a general discussion of substance abuse as a problem for individuals and for society. While providing convincing arguments for the efficacy of treatment programs, he also makes clear the fact that much is yet to be discovered, particularly regarding the impetus for initial and ongoing use of drugs of abuse. In subsequent sections, he provides in-depth descriptions of specific drugs of abuse. Those chapters include clear explanations of physiologic and psychological aspects that do not require substantial prior knowledge on the part of readers. The final section summarizes information from previous chapters in relation to special topics such as AIDS, multi-drug use, pregnancy, and sports. The author's writing style is clear and will hold the attention of most readers. Tables are used throughout to summarize key information. Specific citations are not included, and many readers will find inconvenient the placement of all bibliographic references under chapter headings at the end of the book. For beginning students in health professions, psychology, criminal justice, and addictions studies. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. General readers; lower- and upper-division undergraduates; two-year technical program students. T. D. DeLapp University of Alaska, Anchorage
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
