Addressing a critical void in the literature, this practical new volume provides all the information general psychotherapist and mental health clinicians need to properly identify, assess, treat, and/or refer a client who is using psychoactive substances.

Unlike other resources on the treatment of substance abuse, this volume is written specifically for therapists working in mental health facilities, hospitals, private practice, or other clinical settings that are not specialized chemical dependency programs.

Organized into three main sections, chapters begin by discussing basic issues and perspectives. Expert contributors discuss issues of particular interest to psychotherapists, including attitudinal and countertransference barriers to treating substance abusers, clinical assessment techniques, the efficacy of psychotherapy with substance abusers, the integration of 12-Step and psychotherapeutic approaches, and comorbidity of psychopathology and substance abuse.

The next section focuses on specific clinical approaches and techniques. Motivational interviewing, brief therapy, solution-focused therapy, relapse prevention, group therapy, network therapy, family therapy, and structured inpatient and outpatient programs are all covered in detail.

Addressing clinical considerations with special populations, the final section of the book examines issues related to substance abuse in adolescents, women, minorities, the elderly, incest victims, and patients with HIV/AIDS.