Drug And Alcohol Abuse

by Milhorn, H. Thomas

• ISBN13: 9780306446405
• ISBN10: 0306446405
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1994-03-21
• Publisher: Da Capo Lifelong Books

Summary

The lure of drugs and alcohol is capturing today's youth in its fatal grip and may ultimately destroy our nation's future generations. The vicious cycle of abuse is one that parents, teachers, counselors, and other citizens decry on a daily basis. Dr. Thomas Milhorn, an expert on adolescent drug abuse, provides crucial information on all the major drugs of abuse - including depressants, narcotics, stimulants, cannabinoids, inhalants, steroids, and hallucinogens - and their lethal consequences. Dr. Milhorn contends that in order to confront the monster that is destroying our children's health and quality of life, we must first understand the psyche of drug and alcohol abusers and the natural progression of the disease of addiction. This respected physician and physiologist reveals the harmful combinations currently in vogue in the drug world and the shortand long-term effects they have on the body, and discusses ways to recognize and pinpoint the telltale signs of a user. He explores the question of why adolescents abuse drugs, as well as special issues affecting young female addicts. This powerful book also examines the fatal relationship between drugs and AIDS, and includes a brief history of AIDS, and lifesaving advice on AIDS prevention. Dr. Milhorn skillfully assesses the various inpatient and outpatient treatment choices. He realistically portrays the intense physical and emotional stages the user will pass through before becoming drug free, as well as the stresses placed upon families during the recovery process. As this valuable book relates, both parents and teachers have clearly defined roles, and each can use his or her own brand of influence to aid the adolescent on the journey back to a healthy mind and body. Finally, Dr. Milhorn presents a list of successful options available if a first treatment attempt should fail. We live in a society where 12-year-olds are budding alcoholics and children are bombarded in school hallways with solicitations to ex

Author Biography

H. Thomas Milhorn, Jr., M.D., Ph.D., was previously Professor of Family Medicine, Professor of Physiology and Biophysics, and Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. v
Background	p. 1
Introduction	p. 3
What Are Drugs of Abuse?	p. 13
How Do Drugs of Abuse Differ from Other Drugs?	p. 19
Is Alcoholism Truly a Disease?	p. 31
Why Do Adolescents Abuse Drugs?	p. 45
The Parent's Role	p. 61
The Teacher/Counselor's Role	p. 85
The Effects and Treatment of Drug and Alcohol Abuse	p. 117
What Can I Do If My Child is Abusing Drugs?	p. 119
What Goes on in Treatment?	p. 125
Do Young Women Have Special Issues?	p. 145
What Help is Available for the Rest of the Family?	p. 159
What Happens When My Child Comes Home from Treatment?	p. 171
What If Drugs Are Used Again?	p. 187
Does Drug Abuse Cause Mental Problems?	p. 195
How Are Drugs of Abuse and AIDS Related?	p. 209
Do I Have Problems of My Own Which I Need to Work On?	p. 215
Drugs of Abuse	p. 225
Pharmacology of Drugs of Abuse	p. 227
Alcohol	p. 247
Other Depressants	p. 255
Opioids	p. 265
Cocaine	p. 277
Nicotine	p. 285
Other Stimulants	p. 295
Cannabinoids	p. 301
Phencyclidine	p. 307
Inhalants	p. 313
Anabolic Steroids	p. 323
Hallucinogens	p. 331
Epilogue	p. 341
Appendixes	p. 345
Glossary	p. 357
References	p. 367
Index	p. 379
Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.