3rd Edition

Symptoms and Signs of Substance Misuse

    160 Pages 23 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    The misuse of both legally prescribed and illegally supplied drugs is now so widespread that it affects, either directly or indirectly, a high proportion of the population, impacting many areas of daily life. There are few countries that are not touched by some aspect of substance misuse and the consequences for individuals, families and the wider community can be devastating.

    The third edition of Symptoms and Signs of Substance Misuse has been completely updated and revised, continuing to provide trusted information from leading experts.

    • Basic principles of treatment for the most commonly encountered substances—from tobacco and alcohol to cocaine and heroin, as well as 'designer' drugs
    • The legal aspects of substance misuse highlighted throughout
    • Convenient A-Z format helps you find information at a glance
    • References and further reading direct you to more authoritative information about each substance

    With specialist information clearly explained along with a full glossary, this handy pocket-sized book is essential for all health professionals needing a concise and up-to-date overview of the signs and symptoms of substance misuse as well as the management and treatment options available. Junior hospital doctors, emergency department staff, primary care teams, community workers and counsellors will find this text invaluable. The book is also an excellent resource for police officers as well as a quick reference guide for professionals involved in setting up and managing drug and alcohol policies in organisations and businesses.

    Introduction
    Routes of administration
    Harm reduction and minimisation
    Drugs, statutes and legal requirements
    The medical and health complications of substance misuse
    Suspected internal drug traffickers: drug stuffers and mules
    Substance detection
    Specific drugs
    Alcohol
    Aminoindanes, indoles and benzofurans
    Amphetamine-type stimulants
    Anabolic steroids
    Barbiturates
    Benzodiazepines
    Cannabis
    Cocaine
    Ecstasy
    γ-Hydroxybutyrate and related compounds
    Ketamine
    Khat
    LSD
    Nitrites
    Opiates/opioids
    Phencyclidine
    Phenethylamines
    Piperazines
    Synthetic cannabinoids
    Synthetic cathinones
    Tobacco
    Tryptamines
    Volatile substances
    ‘Z’ drugs
    Appendices
    Glossary
    Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment of Alcohol Scale, revised (CIWA-Ar)
    Alcohol assessment questionnaires: Brief MAST, CAGE and AUDIT
    Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale
    Further reading/resources
    Index

    Biography

    Margaret Stark LLM MSc (Med Ed), FFFLM, FACBS, FHEA, FACLM, FRCP, DGM, DMJ, DAB
    Consultant Forensic Physician; Director of the Clinical Forensic Medicine Unit, NSW Police Force, Sydney, Australia; Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Medicine of The University of Sydney; Founding Academic Dean of the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine of the Royal College of Physicians of London

    Jason Payne-James LLM, MSc, FFFLM, FFSSoc, FRCS(Ed & Eng), DFM Mediator
    Jason Payne-James qualified in medicine in 1980 at the University of London. He is Honorary Senior Lecturer at Cameron Forensic Medical Sciences, Barts & the London School of Medicine & Dentistry, UK. He is external Consultant to the UK National Crime Agency. He has been a Forensic Medical Examiner for the Metropolitan Police Service for over two decades. He is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Forensic & Legal Medicine. Forensic medicine clinical and research interests include healthcare of detainees, deaths, harm and near misses in custody, drugs and alcohol.

    Michael Scott-Ham BSc, MFSSoc
    Consultant Forensic Toxicologist; Committee Member of the United Kingdom and Ireland Association of Forensic Toxicologists, Member of the Society of Forensic Toxicologists, Member of The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists, Senior Associate Member of the Royal Society of Medicine, Director of Principal Forensic Toxicology and Drugs Consultancy Ltd., London and Director of Principal Forensic Services Ltd, London