Willm Mistral
This edition first published 2013
© 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Emerging perspectives on substance misuse / edited by Willm Mistral.
pages cm
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-118-30664-2 (cloth) – ISBN 978-1-118-30212-5 (pbk.)
1. Substance abuse. 2. Substance abuse–Treatment. 3. Alcoholism.
4. Alcoholism–Treatment. I. Mistral, Willm.
HV4998.E44 2013
616.86–dc23
2013013061
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
Cover image: © Paul Edmondson / Getty Images
Cover design by Simon Levy Associates
Dr Willm Mistral has a long research career related to alcohol, drug, and mental health problems. He is an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the University of Bath. For over 18 years he managed a team of researchers in the Mental Health Research and Development Unit, a joint enterprise of the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership Trust and the University of Bath. To date he has been involved in over 75 research projects, and has more than 50 publications in books and journals.
Excessive consumption of drugs and alcohol is associated with widespread social problems, and policymakers as well as practitioners in the field are seeking effective means to reduce the impact on individuals, families, and wider society. A vast amount of research has been undertaken into the underlying and maintaining causes of substance misuse, and there is considerable evidence to support promising interventions for related social and psychological problems. However, much national policy and practice remains entrenched in the past, often for the want of a clear exposition, or application, of research findings.
Importantly, this book addresses theoretical, practice and policy issues with regard to problematic use of both alcohol and illicit drugs, and presents a wide range of emerging evidence-based perspectives. As well as professionals charged with devising and delivering policies and interventions to reduce alcohol- and drug-related harm, it will also interest an academic audience as problematic consumption and addictive behaviours are increasingly being studied within universities.
The contributing authors represent expertise from a range of different specialisms and perspectives in the substance-misuse field. As such, different authors may use differing terminology, as does this preface, referring at times to substance use or misuse, problematic drug or alcohol use, excessive consumption, or addiction. No attempt has been made to homogenize these terms as the differences represent the way this complex, and sometimes divisive, subject is approached in the real world.
I am most grateful to all the contributors to this volume. They are busy people, and I feel both privileged and proud that they have made the time and effort to give of their particular knowledge, experience, and understanding of this important subject.