Drugs of Abuse

Drugs of Abuse
Second edition
Simon Wills - Head of Wessex Drug & Medicines Information Centre, Southampton University Hospitals Trust, UK

Drug abuse is a problem which affects all parts of today's society - it is not constrained to one social class, to 'hard drugs' alone, nor even to illicit substances. This book is a concise, easy-to-read guide for healthcare professionals who encounter drug abuse.

Each chapter covers a particular drug group. These include opioids, cannabis, cocaine, amfetamines, ecstasy, LSD, volatile substances, performance-enhancing drugs, OTC and prescription medicines, nicotine and alcohol.

Drugs of Abuse has been comprehensively revised since the first edition, and includes new chapters on gamma hydroxybutyrate and the internet as an information resource. Also covered are the prevalence of drug use, a detailed assessment of side effects, and interactions between illicit drugs and conventional medicines.

This book is an accessible source of detailed information that can be read from cover to cover, or used as a reference. It will appeal to healthcare professionals, as well as to those working with drug users in the community.

Reviews:
01-Jul-06, The Pharmaceutical Journal:
'This book provides detailed information...it is a good source of information for GPs, pharmacists, nurses and social workers.'
Uzma Chaudhry, The Pharmaceutical Journal . 2006; 277: 21

01-Dec-05, Drug Development and Industrial Pharmacy:
'The text is written in a clear and concise manner and the format allows one to easily locate desired information. This book is suitable as an educational tool and will likely be a valuable clinical resource for members of the healthcare community who work with drug users.'
Linda A. Felton, University of New Mexico, College of Pharmacy, USA

Contents:
1. Introduction: 2. Injection of Drugs: 3. Opioids: 4. Cannabis: 5. Cocaine: 6. Amphetamine, Methamphetamine, Ecstasy and Related Drugs: 7. LSD: 8. Gamma Hydroxybutyrate: 9. Phencyclidine: 10. Volatile Substance Abuse: 11. Performance Enhancing Drugs: 12. Prescription Drugs: 13. Over-the-Counter Products: 14. Caffeine: 15. Tobacco: 16. Alcohol: 17. Plants and Fungi: 18. Alkyl Nitrates: 19. Smart Drugs: 20. Internet: Appendix A Glossary of Street Terminology: Appendix B Legal Status of Drugs in the UK