Substance Misuse in Primary Care

The unique theme of this book is multidisciplinary partnership. It includes contributions from a broad range of healthcare professionals and user advocates, with the common desire to share their perspective of developing primary care services. Together they provide an example of a multi-disciplinary partnership, and a powerful force for change. The reader is encouraged to enhance and develop their skills in providing effective assessments, treatments and care plans through first hand accounts from the authors' experiences including special sections on crack cocaine, alcohol problems, dual diagnosis and homelessness. This is furthered by a discussion of the context of care including the recent changes to the policy making agenda of the National Treatment Agency and the new GP Contract. Substance Misuse in Primary Care is a vital reference source not only for GPs but for the entire primary care team. Primary care practitioners, practice nurses, health visitors, midwives, specialist addictions nurses, counsellors, psychologists, medical registrars, student nurses, health and mental health service managers, social workers, staff at drop-in clinics, probation officers and all professionals who work with substance misusers will find this book invaluable. "Working with people and their substance-related problems requires wisdom, humility, patience and pragmatism.I am sure that this book will be of great value for all those interested in this important area of endeavour, and will contribute positively to attitudes, understanding and knowledge." Andrew McBride, in the foreword