This book provides information regarding the enormity of substance abuse problems in the population, how to assess the problems, and how to treat individuals and families who seek assistance. It educates beginning clinicians and counselors about substance abuse by guiding them through the process of working with substance-abuse clients. Written in an understandable, and easy-to-grasp manner, it covers the basics of substance use and physiology, psychokinetics, and psychodynamics. Case histories are used in selected chapters to help readers integrate the various approaches by offering a sample of the types of issues presented when working with this population. An emphasis on special populations includes minority populations, women, elderly, special needs groups, and children/youth. For substance abuse counselors seeking information on the stages of assessment and diagnosis through relapse prevention.