Handbook of the Medical Consequences of Alcohol and Drug Abuse

<p>The essential newly-expanded reference that needs to be on the desk of every health care professional who encounters substance abusers.<br><br><em>Handbook of the Medical Consequences of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Second Edition</em> is the newly-updated classic reference text that provides even more detailed and expanded information on the pharmacological toxicological and neuropsychological consequences of alcohol and drug abuse. Eight new chapters of crucial information have been added. Written by leading experts in the fields of medical physiology psychopharmacology and neuropsychology this valuable resource provides the detailed alcohol and drug information health professionals in all fields need to know. <br><br><em>Handbook of the Medical Consequences of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Second Edition</em> greatly expands on the expert information provided in the first edition. This text provides reviews of the cardiovascular neurological pulmonary gastrointestinal psychological and hepatic effects of commonly abused drugs. The book also provides in-depth explanations of the mechanisms by which these psychoactive drugs exert their biobehavioral effects as well as current thinking about—and definitions of—abuse dependence and alcohol/drug use. <br><br>The <em>Handbook of the Medical Consequences of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Second Edition</em> includes vital information on:</p><ul> <li>alcohol including definitions of alcohol use abuse and dependence </li> <li>the relationship between alcohol and accidental injuries alcohol’s effect on skeletal and major organ systems and its effect on risk factors for certain cancers </li> <li>effects of alcohol and other drugs on neuropsychological function </li> <li>the effects of alcohol on neuron signaling neurotransmitter function and alcoholic brain damage and cognitive dysfunction </li> <li>fetal alcohol effects </li> <li>chronic effects of marijuana use on psychological and physical health including a fair and balanced discussion of the medical marijuana issue </li> <li>the consequences of opiate abuse and methadone pharmacotherapy including a comparison of the effects of methadone and heroin on organ systems </li> <li>cocaine’s history the various forms of the drug and the adverse effects of cocaine on cardiovascular neurologic and pulmonary systems </li> <li>the medical consequences of inhalants ranging from benzene to xylene </li> <li>the prenatal effects of nicotine cocaine marijuana and opiates </li> <li>terminology that appears in the current literature on alcohol </li> </ul><p>New topics in the <em>Handbook of the Medical Consequences of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Second Edition</em> include chapters discussing:</p><ul> <li>chemical dependency in psychiatric patients </li> <li>medical consequences of steroids </li> <li>OTC medications </li> <li>hallucinogens </li> <li>health effects of tobacco nicotine and exposure to tobacco smoke </li> <li>interactions of alcohol with other drugs and other medications </li> <li>periodontal effects of alcohol and drug abuse in the oral cavity </li> <li>imaging studies of structural brain changes </li> </ul><p>The <em>Handbook of the Medical Consequences of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Second Edition</em> is an invaluable resource for physicians scientists nurses psychologists and alcohol and drug counselors.</p>