Kim Heanue is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work at the University of Huddersfield, UK. She previously worked for several years in substance misuse, supporting adults with drug and alcohol problems.

Chris Lawton has significant experience of working in the Voluntary Sector and currently holds a management post in a substance misuse service.

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Social workers are often faced with issues of substance misuse, whether they day basis. Useful features include:

* Real case examples

* Reminder boxes and end of chapter checklists

* Points of law

* Handy reference guide to drugs and their effects

* Example questions to ask service users to elicit the information you need to know

Written by authors with widespread experience in the profession, this pocketbook will assist students and social workers in:

* Understanding drug and alcohol misuse

* Assessing the risks

* Recognising how and when to intervene

* Liaising more effectively with drug treatment services

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This book forms part of a series of pocketbooks for social workers. These compact guides are written in an accessible and to-the-point style to help the busy practitioner locate the information they need as and when they need it-all bound up in A5 and under! The pocketbooks explore key practical skills involved in such areas as mental capacity, report writing and assessment.

This is an excellent resource for anyone working with families. The useful, concise guide to types of drugs, their uses, what they look like and what symptoms they cause is something to be referred to again and again. The book also provides important reminders to encourage those working with adult substance misusers and those working with the children of drug misusing parents to work together and understand each other's roles.
Jane Bee, Safeguarding Children Service, Gloucestershire, UK

An essential read for anyone working with substance users or someone who just wants to learn more about the subject. Heanue and Lawton have created an excellent source for any social work practitioner. This book is a clear, easy read with boxes in each section to highlight key points, checklists and examples of practice.
Louisa Saunders, Newly-Qualified Social Worker