Social Work with Substance Users

Written in clear, accessible language, this excellent book will be useful for students and practitioners.' - Rachel Fyson, Centre for Social Work, University of Nottingham

'Social workers are often seen to fail substance users despite extensive evidence on the scale and impact of these issues on most of those they work with. Nelson's comprehensive and detailed text is a timely and welcome contribution to an area of practice where there is surprisingly little research and literature. Written by someone with substantial policy knowledge and practice expertise in the field, her approach will help to inspire social workers confidence by drawing on common discourses about substance users and working to embed a partnership approach. Highly recommended for both pre- and post qualified practitioners!' - Trish Hafford-Letchfield, Teaching fellow, Interprofessional Learning, Middlesex University

'This book makes a valuable contribution to the reality that most social workers in New Zealand face the impact of substance abuse on clients and their whanau.'

This is a very clear and thoroughly accessible text that is invaluable for students' understanding of this topic. I have recommended this book to students at all levels of the programme and included it on reading lists for modules I teach.

Excels in its wide-ranging coverage on the history, causes, effects of drugs and how we can deal with the problem.

This text is a greatly needed resource in social work practice and education. It provides both general and population-specific analysis of substance use in an open, easy-to-read and engaging format. Importantly, it provides information about techniques and theoretical approaches which help equip the student or graduate social worker to work in an informed manner in this area.

An easy to comprehend writing style that will appeal to students. Particularly useful section on 'Concepts and models'.

Text is accessible and informative and provides a clear picture of the issues faced for substance users. It provides a basic level of information and guidance for our students about what is involved when working in the field of substance use, and has been a helpful source for this course.

Good and clear read

Teaching on substance problems on social work courses has been patchy, to say the least, and it is heartening to see that a number of texts are coming on the market to support improvements with regard to this. 'Social Work with Substance Users' is a sound, basic introduction for undergraduates and social workers with no previous experience in this field.

Its strengths are:
- its accessible, easy to read style.
- factual accuracy.
- anti-oppressive practice as a theme throughout.
- strong practice chapters [e.g. motivational interviewing and relapse prevention].
- Consideration of various service user groups and social worker settings.

Limitations:
- Whilst theories as to why people develop problems are introduced at various points, a brief early chapter contrasting these would have been helpful.
- Smoking cessation might have been given greater prominence.
- More on the various uses of pharmacotherapy and on working with stimulant uses would have strengthened the book.
- The chapter on children affected by parental problems addresses the issues primarily from the perspective of child care workers. There are different but equally complex challenges for practitioners dealing with adults with problems who have children.

Tighter editing would have tidied up a few problems of sentence structure and repetition.

Despite some omissions, this is a sound and easy to read introductory text.

A detailed, well written book that focuses on the theory and practice link