Substance Use Disorders

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are common among many patients with medical and psychiatric disorders. Professionals from all medical and behavioral health disciplines must address SUDs to provide optimal care to patients. Failure to do so may contribute to morbidity and mortality in cases of more severe substance dependence.

This new volume in the Pittsburgh Pocket Psychiatry series provides a comprehensive overview of substance use disorders for medical students and psychiatric residents. It is aimed particularly at increasing student's knowledge and skills in addressing SUDs. The handy pocket-sized book focuses on those substances used, abused and leading to addiction and the clinical implications of SUDs. Epidemiology, etiology, classifications of SUDs, screening and assessment, and pharmacotherapy and psychosocial interventions are discussed alongside case histories illustrating the material covered. Questions for the reader stimulate thinking about specific cases and how the medical student or resident can help patients with SUDs.

Additional chapters focus on problems caused or worsened by SUDs such as Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS and co-occurring psychiatric disorders. Relapse and recovery are also explored given many patients with substance dependence relapse. Adolescents with SUDs, prevention and harm reduction interventions are also reviewed.

The concept of rom SUDs is incorporated in many of the chapters. Medical, psychological, family and cultural aspects of addiction and recovery are addressed, providing the reader with a broad framework for understanding and helping patients with SUDs, as well as their families. An extensive list of online resources is provided that includes mutual support programs as well as professionals and organizations who offer helpful materials and programs for patients with SUDs.

Contributing authors represent medicine, psychiatry, social work, psychology in diverse treatment settings. Many authors are also researchers and all are educators involved in mentoring medical students, residents, fellows and other health care professionals.